FDA launches publicly-searchable FAERS database

With the launch of the new publicly-searchable FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database yesterday, anyone can now search for and follow patient responsiveness to tests during phase trials. An unintended side-effect has been the selling off of several biotech companies as serious side effects, including patient deaths, were found with some studies. Analysts seem to expect the selloff to subside as the circumstances surrounding these side effects were not detailed.

The article below details questions and answers about the new FAERS system
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm578105.htm

Did OPEC engineer the recent rise in oil prices?

Goldman Sachs has theorized that OPEC is trying to engineer crude prices in the USA into backwardation. US producers who are locking in oil prices through hedging as opposed to selling into the spot market are therefore penalized by accepting a lower price point.

The author of the article below, however, makes his case that oil prices are rising simply because of rising worldwide demand forecasts. Interesting food for thought.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimcollins/2017/09/27/rising-demand-will-continue-to-drive-the-rally-in-crude-oil-prices/#75b355e62749

The Fed will begin reducing its $4.5 Trillion balance sheet

Read all about it! A historic event is finally happening. First came the end of the era of quantitative easing; then the resumption of interest rate hikes; now - finally - the US Federal Reserve will begin to reduce the $4.5 trillion balance sheet it acquired since the 2008 financial crisis. The majority of the Fed's balance sheet consists of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities accrued during quantitative easing. The Fed plans a very gradual draw-down, rising slowly to a final drawdown of $50 billion / month, or roughly in-line with analyst's expectations.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-20/fed-asset-shrinking-to-start-next-month-rate-hike-seen-in-17