Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSTK) is an online retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that sells a wide variety of products at low prices. Originally founded in early 1999, the company’s goal was to be the premier seller of excess inventory on the web. Today, Overstock.com has expanded beyond selling surplus inventory to offer a huge selection of consumer goods ranging from furniture and home décor to cars. In an effort to better represent this shift in business strategy, the company acquired the O.co URL in January 2011 and began incorporating it into parts of its brand, including, most notably, its international and mobile businesses.

In the past, Overstock.com has proven itself adept at adapting to evolving market trends, as demonstrated by its success in the mobile space. Earlier this year, the company’s mobile app was named the Web Marketing Association’s Best Shopping Mobile Application at the 2015 Mobile Web Awards. This was the fourth consecutive year in which the company’s mobile app has been honored. In total, the Overstock.com app has been downloaded more than five million times, with 76 percent of mobile users becoming repeat customers.

Capitalizing on the sustained growth of the digital commerce space, Overstock.com has achieved profitable results for the past four years. In 2015, the company reported total revenues of $1.7 billion, marking an increase of 11 percent over the previous year. Overstock.com’s net income for the fiscal year totaled $2.4 million. As of December 31, 2015, the company reported cash and cash equivalents of $170.3 million.

In recent weeks, Overstock.com has made considerable progress toward building on its strong financial growth. For more than two years, the company has been involved with the crypto currency Bitcoin in an effort to gain familiarity with the highly disruptive potential of blockchain technology. At the 41st Annual International Futures Industry Conference, Overstock.com, through majority-owned subsidiary t0.com, demonstrated the results of these efforts when it announced plans to complete the world’s first public offering using proprietary blockchain technology. The company previously issued the world’s first private blockchain crypto-bond in June 2015.

For more information, visit http://dtn.fm/6IroP

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) is a company focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development of cell-based research and cosmetic products leading to commercialization. ISCO’s core technology, parthenogenesis, is achieved through the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid the ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. Company scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of both genders and all ages and racial background with minimal risk of immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs deliver the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell™.

The company’s resolve to be a leader in the field of restorative medicine is seen in its partnership with The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, a globally-recognized brain research center. The agreement drives both parties to launch phase I/IIa clinical trials on the effects of human parthenogenetic stem cells in individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The Florey Institute’s credibility is undeniable. The institute employs a staff of over 500, with its scientists comprising the largest neuroscience research team in Australia. Work is conducted on a range of serious diseases, including epilepsy, stroke, PD, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, depression, Huntington’s disease, motor neuron disease, schizophrenia, mental illness and a variety of addictions.

ISCO’s human cell culture products are made up of adult stem cells and reagents for regenerative medicine integral in the study of human renal and bladder diseases and prostate disease, as well as human corneal cells present in corneal disease and other cell culture reagents and supplements for the growth and freezing of human cells. International Stem Cell Corp. promotes and sells skincare products through its website and distribution channels and human cell culture products through its sales force, OEM partners, and brand distributors. The company is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and was founded in 2001.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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Divestitures are a way for a company to manage its portfolio of assets. As companies grow, they may find they are trying to focus on too many lines of business and that they must close some operational business units in order to focus on more profitable lines. This is a problem that conglomerates may face. Companies may also sell off business lines if they are under financial duress. For example, an automobile manufacturer that sees a significant and prolonged drop in competitiveness may sell off its financing division in order to pay for the development of a new line of vehicles. Elephant Talk Communications Corp. (NYSE MKT: ETAK) announced, in a press release, an update on its divestiture of wholly-owned subsidiary, ValidSoft Limited (together with its wholly-owned subsidiary ValidSoft Limited UK, “ValidSoft”).

On March 22, 2016, Elephant Talk provided Cross River Initiatives LLC with a notice of default on the binding letter agreement dated February 17, 2016, between Cross River and the company concerning the proposed purchase of ValidSoft and governing certain important matters relating to the interim financing of ValidSoft’s business and operations. While Elephant Talk will not totally foreclose consummating the ValidSoft sale transaction with Cross River as originally contemplated, the company will no longer give preference or exclusivity to the buyer. The Elephant Talk team is working with an investment bank to evaluate strategic options regarding the planned divestiture of ValidSoft.

Hal Turner, executive chairman of the board of Elephant Talk, commented in a press release, “While we continue to have ongoing discussions with Cross River concerning the proposed purchase of ValidSoft, in the best interest of our shareholders, we cannot extend Cross River preference or exclusivity. We are working with an investment bank to evaluate strategic alternatives for the asset and remain optimistic that a transaction will be consummated in line with the company’s stated restructuring activities. Despite the setback in the divestiture of ValidSoft, the company’s restructuring plan is otherwise progressing on track and further details will be forthcoming on our earnings release and conference call later this month.”

Elephant Talk has developed a proprietary software and telecoms platform to provide cloud-based mobile network solutions to communications services providers (MNOs, MVNOs); enterprise and government/education organizations; and application/content and retail providers.

ValidSoft secures transactions using personal authentication and device assurance. ValidSoft enables its customers to enhance their security while improving their user experience, utilizing its multi-factor authentication platform, Voice Biometric engine and Device Trust technology, all of which may be used as ‘stand-alone’ services or integrated into multi-vendor solutions. ValidSoft serves multiple clients across the financial services, government and enterprise sectors and is the only company to have been granted four European Privacy Seals, reflecting its commitment to strong data privacy.

For more information, visit the company’s website: www.elephanttalk.com

From drug discovery to price optimization, across virtually every industry, more companies are using predictive analytics to increase revenue, reduce costs, and modernize the way they do business. Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: ALYI) revolutionizes how leading organizations optimize data analytics and automate marketing research operations. The company’s integrated analytics, micro segmentation and marketing automation technologies empower marketing organizations to create and develop critical marketing decision matrixes. The company’s solutions give clients proprietary market view across diverse data sources; allow discovery of unique audience and location microsegments; automate data management; and generate recommendations at micro level P&L-oriented yield optimization, across products, price and promotion investment.

Predictive analytics is gaining momentum in virtually every industry. Using predictive analytics, businesses are able to approach opportunities, risks, business partners, and customers differently, because they have foresight they previously lacked. For example, airlines are using predictive analytics to improve profitability and provide customers with better traveling experiences. Using their own and third-party data, they are able to understand seat-assignment and legroom preferences, how often their customers fly, and how price sensitive they are, as well as what customers are doing at the airport.

“Historical data can only show you so much,” said Arvid Tchivzhel, director of revenue and pricing strategy at consulting firm Mather Economics. “If you’re always looking at your historical revenue-to-date data, you’re not really seeing where your future customers will be coming from and how much value they’ll deliver to you in the long term.”

The global predictive analytics market is expected to grow from $2.74 billion in 2015 to $9.2 billion by 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4 percent during the forecast period, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets (http://dtn.fm/t5vNQ). The predictive analytics market is growing rapidly because of the transformation from traditional business intelligence (BI) techniques to advanced analytics techniques and the massive surge of structured and unstructured data.

Alternet plans to offer software that integrates analytics, micro-segments, and automated marketing technology. Clients will be able to view data across diverse sources about their unique audiences, which can help them develop micro-targeting tactics to push business forward. The software could even provide marketing recommendations.

For more information, visit www.alternetsystems.com

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Millennial pet ownership grew 25 percent between 2007 and 2015, while the number of pet owners in the 35-and-older age group increased just 14 percent, according to an article on the MediaPost website (http://dtn.fm/WEq3D). Even more significant, the majority of growth among millennials came from multicultural young adults, thus making Latinos, in particular, a key millennial pet owner segment.

Diversity in a company’s product portfolio is essential to capitalizing on this type of trend. Packaged Facts projects that millennials will be responsible for adding another 2.6 million pet owners between 2015 and 2020. There are 43 million pet owners in the 18- to 34-year-old age group, accounting for 31 percent of all pet owners, according to market research publisher Packaged Facts in the report Millennials as Pet Market Consumers. OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) develops, produces and markets various pet accessory and consumable products designed to awaken pets’ natural instincts, be it in feeding, playing or waste management.

While the pet industry has previously been reliant on the spending patterns of pet owners from the baby boomer and gen X generations, millennials are closing the gap. In 2014, households headed by millennial consumers spent almost $11 billion on their pets.

Sold globally through pet specialty retailers; food, drug and mass chains; e-commerce and international channels, OurPet’s Company’s products are marketed under the OurPets®, Pet Zone® and PetTastic® brands with well-known sub-brands such as Play-N-Squeak®, Cosmic Catnip™, Durapet®, SmartScoop® and Flappy®. In total, OurPet’s has an intellectual property portfolio featuring more than 160 individual patents, giving the company sustainable access to the pet products industry for the foreseeable future. Constantly developing and launching new products to satisfy changing business environments is one of the company’s biggest strong suits.

The past year helped confirm the pet industry as one of the most dynamic parts of the U.S. economy. Even when sales haven’t kept up with the growth of recent years, the industry has managed to attract a slew of investments. The pet industry saw the biggest private equity deal of the year, when a group of investors bought PetSmart and took it private, and while one company focused on human products got out of the pet business (The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG)), another got in (The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM)).

OurPet’s Company is well positioned in a dynamic, high-growth market and has the necessary relationships in place to continue its growth cycle and meet whatever demands the millennial, baby boomer, and X-generation segments want to see on store shelves or ecommerce inventory searches.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ourpets.com

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A leading international family entertainment and media enterprise, Agora Holdings, Inc. (OTC: AGHI) offers TV, studio entertainment, interactive media, media networks, and consumer products. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Geegle Media, the company aims to fill the needs of social media, TV, data storage software, and other optimizing solutions.

In July 2015, Agora Holdings, through Geegle Media, developed GeegleTV, which combines radio, news, TV on demand, newspapers, sports, and kids content for an exciting interactive experience. GeegleTV has customizable services for a wide range of users. For example, freelancers and content producers have their own channel, which delivers helpful, usable content. GeegleTV also attracts real estate brokers to their very own channel. This channel allows brokers to market their properties in a virtual experience accessible to clients from any computer.

That same month, the company announced its software integration alliance with YouTube, which has the largest collection of media content in the world. This integration allows GeegleTV to curate even more content than previously available. GeegleTV has also built software that filters third party content for better quality to its users. GeegleTV aims to deliver high-quality content from around the world that is easily accessible and personalized to the end-user.

In a news release, Agora Holdings CEO Dan Terziev stated, “”The web has become so vast that the trend now is to go back, manage and shrink it, rather than adding content. We sort it out and curate to taste.”

The software integration between GeegleTV and YouTube continues. However, creating a better way of caching sourced content on the former’s website is in the works. The next step is for GeegleTV to create a mode of receiving YouTube content which abides by its licensing agreement.

Agora Holdings intends to provide the “world’s best entertainment and online experiences.” By managing and improving its current projects, including 1000salads and Real TV, the company will look to continue its steady ascent into the media-entertainment industry.

For more information, visit www.agoraholdingsinc.com

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Thought to have originated in Africa, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has undoubtedly become a scourge of the continent, particularly south of the Sahara. According to AVERT, the U.K.-based international charity, in sub-Saharan Africa, 24.7 million people, or about 4.7% of the continental population, were living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2013, the last year for which data is available. Over one million of those individuals have died every year since. South Africa, with 5.9 million, has the highest number of infected persons. Swaziland’s HIV infection rate of 27.4% (2013) is the highest worldwide. In Nigeria, although the HIV rate is comparably low (3.2%), this translates into 3.2 million persons because of the country’s huge population. Thus, the recently concluded 90-day bridging trial of HIV-positive patients in Nigeria by Immune Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: IMUN) was most welcome.

In January 2016, on completion of the bridging trial, the company announced it had submitted data to Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The company expects that the Nigerian authorities will approve Lodonal™ as a treatment for those with compromised immune systems, such as occurs in HIV infection. The bridging study sought to examine the effectiveness of Lodonal as a treatment to stabilize and improve CD4 count. The parameters of stabilization were set at 10% either side of the mean. A 25% increase in CD4 count, in the infected group over the control group, was set as the target for Lodonal’s effectiveness in improving CD4 cell count.

A CD4 count is a lab test that measures the number of CD4 T lymphocytes (CD4 cells) in a sample of blood. In people with HIV, it is the most important laboratory indicator of how well the immune system is working and the strongest predictor of HIV progression. CD4 cells (often called T-cells or T-helper cells) are a type of white blood cells that play a major role in protecting your body from infection. They send signals to activate your body’s immune response when they detect invasion from viruses or bacteria. The CD4 count of a healthy individual typically ranges from 500 cells per cubic millimeter to 1,200 cells per cubic millimeter. When the count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter, it may indicate that a person living with HIV has progressed to stage 3 infection (AIDS).

The progression of an HIV infection typically follows three stages. Acute HIV infection is the first stage. It is characterized by symptoms similar to a very bad attack of influenza and usually occurs some two to four weeks after contraction of the virus. Also referred to as acute retroviral syndrome (ARS) or primary HIV infection, these flu-like symptoms are signs of the body’s natural response to the HIV infection.

After the acute stage of HIV infection, the disease moves into a stage called the clinical latency stage, during which the virus continues to live and reproduce at very low levels but produces no or very mild symptoms. This period is also referred to as the asymptomatic HIV infection or chronic HIV infection stage. AIDS is the third and final stage, when the immune system has been so greatly compromised that the body can no longer ward off opportunistic infections. An individual is also considered to have progressed to AIDS if he or she develops one or more opportunistic illnesses, regardless of the CD4 count. Without treatment, people who progress to AIDS typically survive about three years. If a dangerous opportunistic illness is contracted, life-expectancy without treatment falls to about one year.

Immune Therapeutics, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company involved in the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of novel patented therapies to combat chronic, life-threatening diseases through the activation and modulation of the body’s immune system. The company’s technology platform is built on two different immunotherapies, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), known internationally as Lodonal, and Methionine-Enkephalin (MENK). Both therapies have been decades in the making at institutions such as the Pennsylvania State University Medical School at Hershey, University of Chicago, State University of New York, and Multiple Sclerosis Center at UCSF. These efforts were pioneered by leading immunologists, including Dr. Nicholas Plotnikoff, Dr. Ronald Herberman, Dr. Bernard Bihari, Ian S. Zagon, Dr. Jill Smith, Patricia McLaughlin, and Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless.

Learn more by visiting www.immunetherapeutics.com

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Earlier this week, Star Mountain Resources, Inc. (OTC: SMRS) filed a form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a promissory note issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary, St. Lawrence Zinc Company, LLC, in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000 payable to the Development Authority of the North Country, a New York public benefit trust. Payments of accrued interest associated with the loan are set to commence on April 1, 2016. Repayment of the principal amount, as well as all accrued and unpaid interest, is due on or before April 1, 2017. In the filing, the company states that the proceeds of this loan will be used for general working capital purposes.

By strengthening its cash position, Star Mountain will look to capitalize on the recent rise in zinc prices. As previously discussed in an article on QualityStocks (http://dtn.fm/DI2Od), zinc was hampered last year, in large part, by China’s economic slowdown, which seriously impacted global demand. However, with global mine depletion and severe production cutbacks tightening supply, prices have rebounded strongly. Year to date, the mineral has rose more than 27 percent since bottoming in early January (http://dtn.fm/8E7hd), closing at $1,869.75 on March 20, and zinc has shown no signs of slowing down. In fact, according to analysts with Goldman Sachs, zinc currently has “the strongest bull case” of the metals market (http://dtn.fm/5Bg0O).

Star Mountain originally entered the zinc mining business last November, when, despite slumping commodity prices, the company’s management team closed on the acquisition of Northern Zinc and Balmat Holding Corporation, including St. Lawrence Zinc Company, LLC and its mining operations in the Balmat mining district of St. Lawrence County, New York. This move demonstrated the foresight of the company’s management team, as outlined in an article on the QualityStocks blog (http://dtn.fm/jlP9k).

“We continue to evaluate the current zinc market and the best strategy to move forward with a production plan and schedule,” Joe Marchal, chief executive officer of Star Mountain, stated in a recent news release.

In February, the company’s investors received more positive news when an Industry Guide 7 (IG7) Mineral Reserve Report for the Balmat mine property supported Star Mountain’s initial reserve estimate, reflecting roughly 585,000 tons of proven and probable reserves with a 9.2 percent grade zinc that could generate an estimated $80.8 million in revenue over an initial 2.5-year mine plan. The report also reaffirmed the company’s confidence that the property could sustain production as part of a larger, 8.5-year mine plan moving forward.

“We believe the findings in the IG7 report are very positive and reaffirm our confidence that the geological and engineering conditions reflected in the long production history of the Balmat mining operation can be sustained well into the future beyond the initial 2.5-year plan,” continued Marchal.

Having previously announced intentions to proceed with zinc recovery in a timely manner, Star Mountain’s recent efforts to strengthen its short-term cash position should come as no surprise. With zinc already climbing above Goldman Sachs’ 12-month target price and recent news that China is expected to eliminate an estimated 500,000 metric tons of high cost zinc smelting output capacity by the end of the year (http://dtn.fm/8vMho), the time appears to be right for Star Mountain to push forward in capitalizing on its promising mining operations. Look for the company to leverage the expertise of its proven management team and a strengthened cash position as it progresses toward recommencement of mining operations at the Balmat Mine in the near future.

For more information, visit www.starmountainresources.com

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Before the opening bell, OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) announced a patent infringement settlement with Van Ness Plastic Molding Co., Inc. In the previously filed suit, OPCO alleged that Van Ness’ stainless steel, rubber-bottomed bowls infringed upon the company’s 529 utility patent, which covers a feeding dish with rubber on the bottom where the rubber does not extend up a sidewall. According to the news release, the matter was settled favorably to OurPet’s.

“We are pleased with the outcome of this patent infringement case,” Dr. Steve Tsengas, president and chief executive officer of OPCO, stated in this morning’s news release. “In the future, OurPet’s will continue to protect the value of our innovative product lines, and specifically our intellectual property portfolio, which currently includes 160 patents issued or pending.”

The intellectual property in question covers the company’s DuraPet® line, which is the leading line of pet dishes in the pet industry. According to the product’s description on Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), the OurPet’s DuraPet® Bowl uses a permanently-bonded rubber ring on the bottom of the bowl to prevent sliding and reduce noise while the pet is eating. The stainless steel bowl is scratch-resistant and crack-proof, and the product is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Over the years, OPCO has developed an expansive line of innovative pet products, including a strong IP portfolio featuring 160 issued or pending patents in the United States. In addition to its steadfast commitment to driving innovation in the pet industry, the company has committed significant effort to enforcing its patents against copycat competitors. These efforts have helped OPCO maintain a sizable and growing presence in the pet industry, as demonstrated by the company’s latest financial results.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, OPCO recorded $450,592 in net income, an increase of 10 percent from the same period in 2014. Likewise, the company’s 2015 full-year net income was up 74 percent over the results from the prior year, with OPCO continuing to benefit from specific management initiatives that resulted in lower fixed costs, lower production costs and lower general and administrative expenses. Following the successful implementation of its dual branding strategy, by which OPCO markets the OurPet’s brand for the pet specialty channel and the Pet Zone brand for the food, drug and mass retail channels, the company is well-positioned to build on these results and continue its positive momentum throughout the first quarter of 2016 and beyond.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ourpets.com

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A biotechnology company, Nutra Pharma Corporation (OTCQB: NPHC) focuses on acquiring, licensing, and commercializing pharmaceutical products and technologies. The company concentrates on preventing and treating neurological disorders, cancer, and autoimmune and infectious diseases. Currently, Nutra Pharma offers Nyloxin® and Nyloxin® Extra Strength, the only non-narcotic and non-addictive treatments for severe pain that are sold over-the-counter. The company also markets Pet Pain-Away, an over-the-counter pain reliever for beloved pets. Furthermore, its multiple sclerosis and HIV applications are ready to move into phase II clinical trials. Through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Designer Diagnostics and ReceptoPharm, Nutra Pharma has already been able to contribute to the biopharmaceutical field in tremendous ways.

ReceptoPharm, the “drug discovery arm” for Nutra Pharma, develops therapeutic protein products that help prevent and treat viral, autoimmune, and neurological diseases in humans. For these products, the company focuses on receptor-binding proteins found in nature, specifically cobra venom. The two leading products created by ReceptoPharm are RPI-MN and RPI-78M. The first hinders neurological damaging viruses like encephalitis and HIV. The second treats neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis and adrenomyeloneuropathy. Both of these products are easily administered, stabilized, and cause no severe side effects.

Established in 2005, Designer Diagnostics develops and markets test kits that can identify harmful disease-causing bacteria quickly. This early detection allows doctors to administer treatments immediately to prevent the spreading of disease. The company’s diagnostic tests can detect harmful nontuberculous mycobacteria, which can lead to tuberculosis, nocardia, pseudomonas, and mycobacterium avium complex. Fortunately, these tests can detect diseases in less than a week, have a long shelf life, and can be stored in almost any environment. Plus, they are cost-effective and can integrate easily with any laboratory, which makes prevention both feasible and accessible.

Nutra Pharma, backed by its subsidiaries, aims to deliver bio-pharmaceutical breakthroughs that proactively increase the quality of life of people with debilitating diseases. By continuing its business model of acquiring biotechnological companies with similar goals and interests, the company stands to make an enormous impact in the pharmaceutical industry.

For more information on the company, visit www.NutraPharma.com

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