Patent assurance helps revive ailing biotech, health stocks

Article Abstract:

Reassurances by the administration of Pres Bill Clinton that commercial, biotechnology- and health care-related discoveries can be patented have helped revive investor interest in health care and biotechnology funds. Biotech companies, whose stocks had been soaring on investor hopes that scientists could eventually profit from the mapping of the human genetic code, saw the value of their securities plummet drastically in Mar 2000 when Clinton and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair declared that genomic research 'belonged to scientists everywhere.'

Securities and Commodity Exchanges, Financial analysis, Securities Exchanges

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Tax hotline callers worried over stocks

Article Abstract:

Tax payments were the most frequently asked questions by stock market investors during USA Today's Tax Hotline. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants members answered readers' questions. Some readers said form Schedule D was so complicated that they decided to pay regular income taxes on their investment gains. Other questions were the relevant tax rates, early withdrawals, capital gains exclusion on the sale of a house and withdrawals from individual retirement accounts.

Other Financial Vehicles, Taxes, Investors NEC

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Most health care funds in the pink

Article Abstract:

Health care funds showed healthy earnings gain in 3rd qtr 2000. The average health care fund rose 12.5% in the quarter, bringing total gains to 93.4% for the year. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology stocks pushed the health care funds higher. The America Stock Exchange's biotechnology index soared 113% while the pharmaceutical index climbed to 18.5%. The gains come in the wake of problems in both industries which both languished before finally taking off.

Health Care and Social Assistance, Securities prices, Health Care

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