Nick Note: The panic selling in equities is mindless liquidation by hedge funds of longs in index funds to cover loses and raise cash because of short squeezes on their heavily-shorted individual stocks like GameStop, AMC and BlackBerry.
When there is fund liquidating, word gets out and everyone tries to front run it. The timing — right at the open — is also a indication of fund liquidation to raise and preserve cash. We saw panic stop loss liquidation into the close as well. Because their trade book was overwhelmed. It usually is a big mistake. My preferred strategy is not to liquidate into a selling panic. I prefer to buy… See i am willing to lose money to make money. Sometimes a LOT of money. I am not a investor but a speculator. A much different job description
Regulators are getting all kinds of calls about market manipulation and a consistent problem lately of brokerages web sights going down. The demand among individual investors has overwhelmed online brokerages, with companies including Fidelity Investments Inc. Charles Schwab & Co., TD Ameritrade and Vanguard Group experiencing slowness or other technical glitches.
Fundamentals do not apply to retail traders. It’s all about momentum. ANd the internet means they call all jerk off online and whip themselves into a frenzy. Their is no need for the regulate rs to do a dam thing. The laws of the markets will soon wipe them out and they will return all the money we have loaned them at leg breaker loan shark interest rates…. Their exotic Italian sports cars and cocaine white mansions will soon be up for auction.
The only reason why Tesla is worth what it is is because people are buying the shit out of the company.” This kind of trading ALWAYS ends in disaster!
Panic liquidation is more like an explosion then a forest fire. A forest fire it rages for weeks on end. In a explosion the smoke clears away in a day or two and the markets revert back to their former state. Which means I like to hold as many positions as possible in market action like this.
I believe the upside is still intact. And stimulus and happy check hysteria along with vaccines are here to save the day hyperblow will drive the markets to new higher highs.
So to be clear here. I want to maintain our bullish spread. I am always a buyer in senseless panic liquidations… Everyone is selling kind of thing. Soon everyone will be buying again and then i am looking to turn our spreads to the bearish side……Nick
PS surprise events like this is part of trading. Their is no way to predict these events a head of time.
Dear Mr Lizard, Glad to see your never far away……. This is not savings. this is not investing…… This is balls to the wall speculating and you can lose a shit pot full of money. As in Busted….. I love today’s market action……
AS the coronavirus continues to spread, it has also mutated – with three significant new variants of the virus now present in the US.
Experts have warned the UK variant, which was first discovered in Kent in the south of England is up to 70 per cent more infectious – and has now emerged in the US. One cluster was found in Florida on November 6 and the other in California on November 23. The first discovery in the US was around six weeks before Sage told the UK government about its concerns about the new strain. In the US, the first case of the Kent strain was diagnosed on December 29. Researchers concluded the new UK strain is between 29 and 91 per cent more likely to be fatal – with three different studies showing very different results. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said it could be 1.35 times more deadly, Imperial College London said it was between 1.36, or 1.29 (depending on the method used), and the University of Exeter found it may be 1.91 times more deadly. Experts also revealed this week that the South African strain could also be more deadly. Nervtag scientists said today they had done some analysis on data in South Africa, finding “a hint of increased mortality”. But they cautioned there has not been detailed research into the mortality of the South African variant, as there has been with the Kent one, so they cannot be confident in the finding. The third variant originates in Brazil and has now spread to the US. It also is considered to be rather resilient to the coronavirus vaccine. After the new variants were detected, the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said that symptoms aren’t any different to the original strain that emerged in 2020. Scientists agree that the virus affects different people in various ways and what has become clearer as the pandemic has unfolded are the signs to look out for. As the nation continues to battle with a rise in coronavirus infections it’s important to know the official symptoms of Covid-19.
1. New persistent cough
Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) states that one of the three key coronavirus symptoms is a new persistent cough. This is defined as coughing a lot for more than an hour or three or more coughing episodes in a day. If you usually have a cough then it will be much worse that your usual cough and it’s likely to be more frequent.
2. Loss of taste and smell
In May 2020 Public Health England (PHE) added anosmia to the official list of Covid-19 symptoms, falling in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO). Many people who contract the virus reported being unable to taste their food or smell things – this is known as anosmia. Andrew Robson, ENT Consultant at North Cumbria Integrated Care said: “It has been known for some time that viruses can cause anosmia, and this can last for considerable lengths of time. “Anosmia also affects the sense of taste and is understandably quite distressing, affecting an individual’s appreciation of food and drink among other pleasurable scents. “This condition also potentially gives rise to dangerous situations, such as an inability to detect gas leaks, fire or spoilt food.”
3. High temperature
Another key symptom of Covid-19 is a high temperature.
This means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back and the NHS states that you don’t need to measure your temperature with a thermometer in order to check it. If you do measure your temperature – a high reading would be classed as anything above 38C. A high temperature is usually caused by your body fighting infection. If you have any of the three main symptoms as stated above then you should get a test and isolate. But some testing centres are now also offering tests to asymptomatic patients and almost one third of people who have the virus don’t have an signs.
4. Tiredness
Tiredness isn’t one of the main coronavirus symptoms listed by the NHS but many people are left feeling fatigued when they contract the virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists tiredness as another key coronavirus symptom. Many people who contract the virus say they don’t feel as though they have the energy to undertake every day tasks in the same way that they could before.
5. Headache
The WHO also lists headaches as a common symptom and this is also one of the main symptoms in children, according to the ZOE Symptom Tracker App. The study found that 53 per cent of children who contracted the virus also suffered from headaches.
6. Rash
Many people who have contracted Covid-19 have also developed a skin rash. In some cases this is seen on the back and arms, and others have developed conditions such as “Covid-toes” due to the inflammation caused by the virus. While the ZOE study didn’t suggest a rash was one of the five main symptoms in children – it did state that 15 per cent of kids who test positive also present with an unusual skin rash. Just last week one nurse shared shocking pictures of her 17-month-old son’s rash which she says was caused by Covid. Jade Roberts said that her son Bertie had first developed a runny nose before the rash started. She said the rash spread to his cheeks, ears, knees and stomach. Nick Note: Pay close attention to these symptoms. This is not something to trifle with.
The Biden administration plans to buy 100 million more doses each of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in order to vaccinate 300 million Americans by the end of summer. ‘The biggest problem, I hope you’re all asking me by the end of summer is that you have too much vaccine leftover,’ Biden said at the White House Tuesday afternoon. Biden delivered the update Tuesday on the heels of Vice President Kamala Harris getting her second shot of the Moderna vaccine at the Bethesda, Maryland headquarters of the National Institutes of Health. Biden said at his appearance that the vaccine program ‘is in worse shape than we anticipated or expected.’ Going forward, Biden said the administration will increase the supply of vaccines to states, tribes and territories from 8.6 million doses to a minimum of 10 million doses. ‘Starting next week, that’s an increase of 1.4 million doses per week,’ Biden said. ‘And so this is going to allow millions of more Americans to get vaccinated sooner than previously anticipated,’ he added. He also promised the state and local leaders ‘will now always have a reliable three-week forecast of the supply they’re going to get.’ ‘Until now, we’ve had to guess how much vaccine to expect for the next week and that’s what the governors had to do: “how much am I getting next week?” This is unacceptable,’ Biden said. By knowing these figures, Biden explain, governors, mayors and local leaders can carry out their plans to vaccinate the largest number of people possible. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are two-shot doses. Biden said by increasing the supply and being transparent about the supply, the U.S. should ‘God willing’ be able to get to his goal of 100 million shots in the first 100 days of the administration. ‘But I also want to be clear, 100 million shots in 100 days is not the end point, it’s just the start,’ the president said. ‘We’re not stopping there. The end goal is to beat COVID-19. And the way we do that is to get more people vaccinated, which means we have to be ready after we hit the goal of 100 million shots in 100 days.’ Biden then relayed the administration’s plan to buy 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 100 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, which would be enough to vaccine 100 million more Americans. Biden continued to call fighting the coronavirus a ‘wartime effort,’ noting that the 400,000-plus death toll topped all the World War II American dead.’And we’re using the Defense Production Act to launch a full-scale wartime effort to address the supply shortages we inherited from the previous administration,’ Biden explained. The president said the administration was continuing to work to get the vaccines into local pharmacies around the country. ‘But the brutal truth is, it’s going to take months before we get the majority of American vaccinated. In the next few months, masks, not vaccines are the best defense against COVID-19,’ the president also said. ‘Experts say that wearing masks from now on, just until April would save 50,000 who otherwise will pass away if we don’t wear these masks.’ Nick Note: Do the math and you will see their will not be enough people vaccinated to build heard immunity (90% vaccinated) until next year. And these numbers do not take into consideration the FACT that at least 1 of the3 more deadly mutations circulating will require a boaster shot. I predict after this latest wave subsides the South African mutation which will become the dominate strain will pour cold water on the stock market wet dream. Reality is contrary to the illusion is the economy will start opening up this spring their will be the most severe lock down yet.
“When war broke out between Spain and the United States, it was very necessary to communicate quickly with the leader of the insurgence. Garcia was somewhere in the mountain vastness of Cuba – no one knew where. No mail or telegraph message could reach him. The President must secure his cooperation, and quickly. What to do!
“Someone said to the President, ‘There is a fellow by the name of Rowan. He will find Garcia for you, if anybody can.’ Rowan was sent for and given a letter to be delivered to Garcia.
“How the ‘fellow by the name of Rowan’ took the letter, sealed it up in an oilskin pouch, strapped it over his heart, in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the jungle, and in three weeks came out on the other side of the island, having traversed a hostile country on foot and delivered his letter to Garcia – are things I have no special desire now to tell in detail.
“The point I wish to make is this: McKinley gave Rowan a letter to be delivered to Garcia; Rowan took the letter and did not ask, ‘Where is he at?’ There is a man whose form should be cast in bronze and the statue placed in every college of the land. It is not book-learning young men need, nor instruction about this and that, but a stiffening of the vertebrae which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, to concentrate their energies: do the thing – ‘carry the message to Garcia.’
Nick Note: Their are 3 mutations the B.1.1.7 the English strain, the Brazilian mutation and the really scary South African highly infections mutation. In the next month its predicted this strain will become the dominate strain. Which means you must get vaccinated and double down and hunker in place. It remains to be seen how effective the current vaccines will be against these deadly mutations, My sniff is less then 50% effective which means we cannot rely on our vaccines. The good news we will be getting a booster shot in the next 12 months. Which means this is NOT over and the fat lady has not sung yet. In the coming months when the Tsunamis hits the US will be forced into total lock down and that might just be the pin that bursts the stock market bubble….
BERLIN (Reuters) – German health authorities put a Berlin hospital under quarantine after 20 patients and staff members tested positive for a more infectious variant of the coronavirus discovered in Britain and spreading fast around the world, officials said on Saturday. The number of people at the Humboldt hospital infected with the more infectious B117 variant was likely to rise further in the coming days, a spokeswoman of public hospital operator Vivantes told Reuters. The quarantine decision means that the Humboldt hospital in the German capital will not admit any new patients. “New patients and emergencies will be redirected to other hospitals,” the spokeswoman said. Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans on Thursday to stop complaining about the slow roll-out of a vaccine against COVID-19, and defended a decision to extend a lockdown as necessary to stem the more aggressive variant. Nick Note: Pay attention the mutated coronavirus is getting through joke paper masks and social distancing is proven to be stupidness. The world needs to o into complete lock down and people will have to go to my ugly mask. People will die……..A LOT OF PEOPLE!
Jeremy Grantham, co-founder and chief investment strategist of Boston’s GMO, believes U.S. stocks have become an epic bubble and will burst in a collapse rivaling the crashes of 1929 and 2000. In this interview, he explains why, discusses the futility of Federal Reserve policy, criticizes the state of American capitalism, and shares his thoughts on gold, Bitcoin, emerging markets and climate change. Nick Note: This is an important post. WATCH THE VIDEO! For the record we are on the verge of the biggest stock market bust ever. I have traded every bust. since 1987 and I can tell you they are life changing experiences. I am 1000% SURE that the biggest crash ever is coming and their is no stopping it. Interest rates will zoom allowing us to buy zeroes and the Feds only way out will be double digit negative rates….. So have a ncse day
A recent study by US researchers shows how the 501Y.V2 variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), characterized by several mutations, is able to escape neutralization by present first-wave anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and potentially re-infect COVID-19 convalescent individuals. The paper is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.
Study: Molecular dynamic simulation reveals E484K mutation enhances spike RBD-ACE2 affinity and the combination of E484K, K417N and N501Y mutations (501Y.V2 variant) induces conformational change greater than N501Y mutant alone, potentially resulting in an escape mutant. Image Credit: NIAID
As many variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge and subsequently displace first-wave viruses, it is pivotal not only to appraise their relative transmissibility and virulence in causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but also their propensity to escape antibody neutralization. Of utmost interest are variants harboring mutations that can affect the interaction of the viral spike receptor-binding domain (S RBD) with the viral receptor on host cells, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which provides an entry point for the coronavirus. Variants with a greater binding affinity for ACE2 are likely to spread more. Furthermore, transmissibility is linked to mortality, as an inevitable increase in infection rates caused by the novel variants will result in higher disease and death toll.
However, these dire repercussions of more rapid and widespread infections can also be compounded by a loss of efficacy of currently available antibody-based treatments and vaccines and a decrease of protective immunity in individuals previously infected with a ‘first wave’ virus.
In order to improve our understanding of the risks posed by an individual or combined mutations in these ‘second wave’ variants, a research group from ImmunityBio company in California conducted a computational analysis of interactions of the S RBD with human ACE2.
The K484 substitution in the novel South African variant increases affinity of the spike receptor-binding domain (S RBD) for ACE2. (a, b) The positions of the E484K (red), K417N (cyan), and N501K (purple) substitutions at the interface of the 501Y.V2 variant S RBD – hACE2 interface are shown. hACE2 residues nearest to the mutated RBD residues are rendered as thin sticks. The E484K mutation is located in a highly flexible loop region of the interface, K417N in a region with lower probability of contact, and N501K at a second point of high-affinity contact. (c) The range of movement available to the loop containing residue 484 is shown by PCA of MD simulation of a first-wave sequence11,13. (d) MD simulation performed in the presence of all 3 substitutions reveals the loop region is tightly associated (black arrow) with hACE2. A key contact ion pair is circled. (e) In comparison to K484, when E484 (‘wildtype’) is present with only the Y501 variant, the loop is not as tightly associated (arrow).
In this study, the researchers have utilized millisecond-scale MD simulation methods to investigate mutations (E484K, K417N, and N501Y) at the S RBD-ACE2 interface in the rapidly spreading South African variant 501Y.V2 – and their effects on RBD binding affinity and spike glycoprotein conformation. The wild-type ACE2/RBD complex was built from the cryo-electron microscopy structure. Moreover, ten copies of each RBD mutant were minimized, equilibrated and simulated, and the minimization processed occurred in two phases.
Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was pursued by using the full set of simulations of the triple mutant, E484K and N501Y systems. Simulation structures were extrapolated onto the eigenvectors for every mutation system.
The great escape from neutralization
The study revealed greater affinity of K484 S RBD for ACE2 in comparison to E484, as well as the greater probability of modified conformation when compared to the original structure. This may actually represent mechanisms by which the new 501Y.V2 viral variant was able to replace original SARS-CoV-2 strains.
More specifically, both E484K and N501Y mutations were shown an increase affinity of S RBD for human ACE2 receptor, while E484K was able to switch the charge on the flexible loop region of RBD, resulting in the formation of novel favorable contacts. The aforementioned improved affinity is a likely culprit for more rapid spread of this variant due to greater transmissibility, which is a prime reason why it is important to track these mutations and act in a timely manner. Furthermore, the induction of conformational changes is responsible for the escape of the 501Y.V2 variant (distinguished from the B.1.1.7 UK variant by the presence of E484K mutation) from neutralization by existing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and re-infect COVID-19 convalescent individuals.
Implications for further vaccine design
“We believe the MD simulation approach used here similarly represents a tool to be used in the arsenal against the continuing pandemic, as it provides insight into the likelihood mutations alone or in combination may have effects that lessen the efficacy of existing therapies or vaccines”, say the authors of this study.
“We suggest vaccines whose efficacies are largely dependent upon humoral responses to the S antigen only are inherently limited by the emergence of novel strains and dependent upon frequent re-design,” they add.
On the other hand, a vaccine that evokes a vigorous T-cell response is much less subject to changes due to accruing mutations and, thus, provides a better and more efficient approach to protection against this disease.
Finally, the ideal vaccine would also incorporate a second, conserved antigen (such as the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein), which would likely elicit an effective humoral and cell-mediated immune response – even when confronted with a rapidly changing virus.
*Important Notice
bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Nick Note: After extensive research as your librarian my unscientific joke conclusion is that previous infected individuals are highly likely to have no or little immunity to the South African mutation known as the 501Y.V2 variant. If you listen to the above video near the end the experts admit that the vaccine companies have not been forthcoming about the precise RNA that their vaccines target and even tough their has been enough time they claim that the immunity against the 501Y.V2 variant is inconclusive. Having been at this a long time i have learned no news is bad news. And after they deliver the ordered doses of the present configured vaccine… They will “discover” that a booster shot will be required to give “full immunity” to the mutated variants. And this multi multi billion dollar dance will be a yearly event. Much like the flue vaccine ritual.
Please observe the UGLY MASK. See this scientist in a top secret biolab wants to live. Wear the fucking ugly mask and nano-filter I designed for you
Several journalists have asked us about the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2, so here are some comments from scientists.
Dr Julian W Tang, Honorary Associate Professor/Clinical Virologist at the University of Leicester, said:
“The South African variant (B.1.351 or 501Y.V2) differs significantly from the UK B.1.1.7(variant) in several ways that may impact on vaccine effectiveness. “Both variants share the N501Y mutation in the viral S gene which lies in the receptor binding domain (RBD) – where the virus binds to the host cell – and where vaccine-induced antibodies bind to the virus. But the South African variant has two more mutations – E484K and K417N – in this RBD region that are absent in the UK variant.
These two additional mutations may interfere more with vaccine effectiveness in the South African variant than in the UK variant.
“This does not mean that the existing COVID-19 vaccines will not work at all, just that the antibodies induced by the current vaccines may not bind and neutralise the South African variant as well as it would the other circulating viruses – including the UK variant.
“Even if the South African variant becomes more widespread and dominant, the mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) and adenovirus-vectored (Oxford-Astrazeneca and Russian Sputnik V) vaccines can be modified to be more close-fitting and effective against this variant in a few months.
“Meanwhile, most of us believe that the existing vaccines are likely to work to some extent to reduce infection/ transmission rates and severe disease against both the UK and South African variants – as the various mutations have not altered the S protein shape that the current vaccine induced antibodies will not bind at all.”
Prof Francois Balloux, Professor of Computational Systems Biology and Director, UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, said:
“The ‘South African variant’ carries a mutation in the spike protein called E484K, which is not present in the ‘UK strain’. The E484K mutation has been shown to reduce antibody recognition. As such, it helps the virus SARS-CoV-2 to bypass immune protection provided by prior infection or vaccination. It is not anticipated that this mutation is sufficient for the ‘South African’ variant to bypass the protection provided by current vaccines. It’s possible that new variants will affect the efficacy of the covid vaccines, but we shouldn’t make that assumption yet about the South African one.”
Prof Lawrence S. Young, Virologist and Professor of Molecular Oncology, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, said:
“The South African virus variant was recently reported in a preprint ahead of formal publication. The variant has multiple spike mutations and emerged in a major metropolitan area in South Africa following the first wave of the epidemic and then spread to multiple locations within two other neighbouring provinces. It has rapidly spread become the dominant virus variant in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces.
“The South African variant has 3 mutations at key sites in the receptor binding domain (K417N,E484K and N501Y) of the spike gene. Two of these (E484K and N501Y) are within the receptor-binding motif (RBM), the main functional motif that forms the interface with the human ACE2 receptor. The N501Y mutation is the same as that found in the UK virus variant.
These changes are consistent with both these variants being more infectious (transmissible) but we don’t know whether they will affect the disease severity. While changes in the UK variant are unlikely to impact the effectiveness of current vaccines, the accumulation of more spike mutations in the South African variant are more of a concern and could lead to some escape from immune protection. “Variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been around since the beginning of the pandemic and are a product of the natural process by which viruses develop and adapt to their hosts as they replicate. Most of these mutations have no effect on the behaviour of the virus but very occasionally they can improve the ability of the virus to infect and/or become more resistant to the body’s immune response. Many thousands of these mutations have already been identified in isolates of the virus with around 4000 spike mutations being found in different viruses from around the world. The UK and South African virus variants have changes in the spike gene consistent with the possibility that they are more infectious.
“But the standard measures to restrict transmission (hands, face, space) will prevent infection with this variant. Along with improved surveillance (testing, tracing and isolating) and expediating the roll out of the vaccine, these measures will prevent transmission of this variant and any others that will arise. “The move to harsher levels of restriction across the country is inevitable. It is essential that we do everything possible to prevent the South African variant from spreading to the UK population. Quarantine measures and restricting travel from and to South Africa are imperative.”
Dr Simon Clarke, Associate Professor in Cellular Microbiology at the University of Reading, said:
“The variant found in South Africa which is now also seen in the UK, is another mutated version of the coronavirus which is causing significant problems.
“The South African variant has a number additional mutations including changes to some of the virus’ spike protein which are concerning. They cause more extensive alteration of the spike protein than the changes in the Kent variant and may make the virus less susceptible to the immune response triggered by the vaccines. “While it is more infectious, it currently remains unclear whether it causes a more severe form of the disease. Moreover, the South African variant is a more difficult virus to track as it lacks some mutations in the spike found in the Kent virus which make it easily detectable by the PCR test used by the NHS.”
Prof James Naismith, Director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, and University of Oxford, said:
“Viruses mutate and new strains will emerge. The so-called South African strain has a number of changes, and scientists are working flat out to understand their significance. Some of the changes are quite significant and thus scientists are paying a lot of attention. We do not yet know enough to say more than this. “For the general public, I would say think about our human nature. Many of us like a good scare and horror stories are part and parcel of human culture, which means such things get a lot of coverage. However a drumbeat of nightmare scenarios about this new variant does nothing but create anxiety because too little is known and there is nothing we can do about it at the moment. Prolonged anxiety is far from enjoyable and leads to mental illness. I would say there are many much more positive things we can do. “We can support scientists to work on the new variants and keep other research efforts to treat the disease going (don’t stop funding covid19 science just yet). We can all help if we redouble our efforts to wash our hands, wear a mask and socially distance. The faster and further the vaccine is rolled out, the quicker the end to this nightmare. We can all help each other through kindness and understanding, many are grieving, others are financially very stretched and other are very lonely. We can help by not amplifying or spreading doomsday scenarios or spreading magical thinking or nonsense information. “And we need to have a proper informed debate: further social restrictions are required if we wish to avoid overloading the NHS before the vaccines stop spread. Those who advocate reducing social restrictions really should make clear the costs in lives of their policy. In our democracy we elect politicians, not scientists, to take decisions. We expect politicians to make decisions based on facts, not fantasy.”
All our previous output on this subject can be seen at this weblink:
