Click here to visit the News Room page for ImmunoCellular Therapeutics (OTC: IMUC.OB), which posted impressive updated Phase 1 survival data for its brain cancer vaccine (ICT-107) in late October and appears to be forming a new support level around the $1 per share level after consolidating gains of about 2X from late August levels following a spate of good news that also included a deal with Roche (OTC: RHHBY.PK) for a cancer monoclonal antibody.

Despite a loss of about 20% for CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) during the past week on a weak outlook for its pharmacy benefit management (PBM) business, the Health Benefit Providers Index has posted strong gains lately to surpass the S&P 500 Index over the past three months as investors are hopeful that gridlock will prevent legislation from passing for widespread healthcare reform and a public health insurance option.

The Clean-Tech / Carbon Trading Index has held its gains and outpaced the S&P 500 over the past three months and NF Energy Saving Corp. (click on preceding link for News Room page) (OTC: NFEC.OB) is expected to report its quarterly results on or about 11/16/09 based on the most recent guidance from the Company -- which represents a growth play on both China and clean energy / energy efficiency infrastructure.

The Regulatory Catalyst Index has been weak over the past three months and most recently GTx Inc. (NASDAQ: GTXI) suffered a major setback as the Agency failed to approve its bone drug.

The Global Railroad Index steamed ahead last week on news that Warren Buffett will buy Burlington Northern (NYSE: BNI) as a bet on the recovery of the domestic and global economy as part of Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE: BRK-A) largest acquisition ever. Berkshire previously owned over 22% of BNI and will also conduct a 50 : 1 split of his Company's lower-priced Class B shares (NYSE: BRK-B). Buffett is also bullish on the railroad industry as a green form of fuel / cost-effective means for the transportation of goods as compared to other forms of transport such as roadway trucking.

Other indexes that have outpaced the S&P 500 include Generic Drugs, Tobacco, and Metals / Mining, with the latter benefitting from strength in gold and related stocks such as Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX). 

Generic drug stocks have fared the best over the past three months among my healthcare indexes, outpacing the overall market by approximately 2X on a percentage gain basis. Big stock price gainers over the past year among U.S.-based components include Hi-Tech Pharmacal (NASDAQ: HITK) and Mylan (NYSE: MYL).

ImmunoTherapy / Vaccines Index

The actively managed HavRx ImmunoTherapy / Vaccines Index includes companies with market caps below $5 billion at the time of index inclusion which are developing or commercializing any type of immunotherapy, gene therapy, or vaccine product that is designed to stimulate the immune system for the eradication, combination treatment, or prevention of cancer. In addition, the index will track companies which are developing or commercializing any type of vaccine product or vaccine adjuvant for all types of infectious disease such as influenza (flu) and bio-defense applications.

Clean-Tech / Carbon Trading Index

The ProActive Clean-Tech / Carbon Trading Index is actively managed and tracks the performance of companies which either generate carbon credits through their business operations, are involved with the trading of carbon credits, or reduce carbon emissions through their business activities. In addition, the index may include companies that supply renewable energy products, services, and raw materials / resources for applications such as waste-to-energy, landfill / methane gas collection, clean energy / bio-fuels, smart electric grid / power management, energy efficiency, water supply infrastructure, and all other forms of alternative energy such as wind, solar, battery, and hydropower.