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Wall Street has mixed feelings about penny stocks. These tickers changing hands for less than $5 per share either draw investors in with their high return potential or send them running for the hills, but why?When we say high return potential, we arent exaggerating. The bargain price points allow investors to snap up more shares than possible when investing in other more well-known names. Whats more, even what feels like trivial share price appreciation can translate to massive percentage gains.That said, theres a legitimate reason some investors are wary when it comes to penny stocks. The risk involved with these plays scares off the faint hearted as very real problems like weak fundamentals or overwhelming headwinds could be masked by the low share prices.So, how should investors approach a potential penny stock investment? By taking a cue from the analyst community. These experts bring in-depth knowledge of the industries they cover and substantial experience to the table.Bearing this in mind, we used TipRanks database to find two compelling penny stocks, according to Wall Street analysts. Both tickers boast a Strong Buy consensus rating and plenty of upside potential.Matinas BioPharma (MTNB) By using its lipid nano-crystal platform (LNC) delivery technology, Matinas BioPharma hopes to solve complex challenges related to the oral delivery of small molecules, gene therapies, vaccines, proteins and peptides. Currently going for $0.87 apiece, several members of the Street believe its share price presents an attractive entry point.Writing for BTIG, 5-star analyst Robert Hazlett points to MAT2203 as a key component of his bullish thesis. The therapy was designed as a liposomal nanocrystal (LNC) version of the broad-spectrum anti-fungal amphotericin B that allows for oral delivery of the drug.Ahead of the Phase 2 EnACT trial evaluating the candidate in cryptococcal meningitis, with enrollment for Cohort 2 set to begin in the near-term and the next DSMB data expected in mid-2021, Hazlett points out that this is the first of potentially several indications with the novel antifungal.Further explaining his optimism about the therapy, Hazlett stated, There was unanimous recommendation by the independent DSMB to move to the second cohort of patients in of EnACT, which is a validating event for MAT2203, as progression through the cohorts is assessed by the rate of CSF fungal clearance and the absence of fungal count rebound, and progression through the cohorts of EnACT therefore signals MAT2203's activity and its successful crossing of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to maintain a reduced fungal count in the CSF.Additionally, the enrollment for ENHANCE-IT, a head-to-head trial of MAT9001 compared to Amarins Vascepa, has been completed. MAT9001 is MTNBs free fatty acid formulation of EPA and DPA, and according to Hazlett, it generates substantially higher blood levels of EPA than Vascepa.If that wasnt enough, the company has recently announced a collaboration with the NIAID to study a liposomal nanocrystal (LNC) formulation of Gileads remdesivir, for an oral formulation of the COVID-19 therapy. We believe this collaboration further validates Matinas' LNC technology, Hazlett commented.In line with his bullish stance, Hazlett rates MTNB a Buy, and his $5 price target implies room for a stunning 474% upside potential in the next 12 months. (To watch Hazletts track record, click here)Turning now to the rest of the Street, other analysts echo Hazletts sentiment. As only Buy recommendations have been published in the last three months, MTNB earns a Strong Buy analyst consensus. With the average price target clocking in at $4, shares could soar 359% from current levels. (See MTNB stock analysis on TipRanks)Equillium (EQ)Leveraging an in-depth understanding of immunology and its role in disease, Equillium is developing innovative therapies for severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. With shares trading for $4.25, some analysts think that now is the time to pull the trigger.Following the companys Analyst Day highlighting its clinical programs for anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody itolizumab, Leerink analyst Thomas Smith remains optimistic about its long-term growth prospects.During the event, EQ released individual patient responses along with biomarker analyses, coming on the heels of the recent positive interim data from the first three cohorts of the Phase 1b EQUATE trial studying itolizumab in acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD). Going forward, the company wants to conduct dose expansion in Cohorts 2 and 3, by enrolling three additional patients in each cohort, with top line results from the trial expected in 1H21.Looking at the initial data from the Phase 1b EQUATE trial, it showed rapid, deep, and durable responses for itolizumab in aGVHD, in Smiths opinion. As for the updated data, there was an 80% overall response rate (ORR) across all doses by day 57, with 8 out of 10 total patients achieving a complete response (CR). Whats more, the therapy was also tied to the ability to taper and dose reduce systemic steroid use in patients.These results aligned with biomarker data showing that itolizumab rapidly decreased CD6 expression on CD4 and CD8 T cells. We believe these results are compelling and supportive of EQs plans to expand dosing into additional GVHD patients at the 0.8mg/kg and 1.6mg/kg dose levels, Smith explained.If that wasnt enough, EQ presented preclinical and translational research supporting the Phase 1b EQUALISE trial for itolizumab in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN), and Smith expects top line results in SLE to come in 1Q21 and interim results in LN in 2H21.To this end, Smith rates EQ a Buy along with an $18 price target. Should this target be met in the year ahead, investors could be pocketing a gain of ~328%. (To watch Smiths track record, click here)What does the rest of the Street have to say? 3 Buys and no Holds or Sells add up to a Strong Buy consensus rating. Given the $15 average price target, shares could skyrocket 328% in the year ahead. (See EQ stock analysis on TipRanks)To find good ideas for penny stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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Top US officials discuss "range of options" to protect Americans in Iraq from Iran attacks-senior US official - Yahoo Finance

A Dumfriesshire charity has played a key role in moves to destroy more than 1,000 landmines in Iraq.

The Thornhill-based HALO Trust has continued to send officials to battle the scourge of the deadly devices in the war-torn nation this year, despite the coronavirus crisis.

Workers from the demining charity, including Baghdad programme manager Frank Philip, have continued their bid to disarm the clandestine explosives.

The former army hero and his team have cleared 700 improvised devices and 400 unexploded grenades and mortars in the Middle Eastern state to reach a landmark tally since operations began in August 2018.

Charity workers also faced being caught up in Iranian missile strikes in Northern Iraq after the US drone strike assassination of General Qasem Soleimani last January.

Their efforts have been backed by the UK Government a key donor to the UN Mine Action Services demining efforts in Iraq, having provided 15.7million since 2018.

UK aid is supporting all three of HALOs demining projects in Anbar province in western Iraq.

Frank, from Montrose, said: 2020 has been an unusual year for us. We had a bad start with the Iranian-American tensions over the death of Major General Qasem Soleimani. Some of my guys actually drove past the burning vehicles, coming out of the airport after returning from their Christmas leave.

Wed been instructed not to go into Baghdad because the Iranians had vowed to respond so we made the decision to relocate to Erbil in the north. Of course, no sooner had we got here, than the Iranians launched their ballistic missile strikes against American bases in Anbar province and at Erbil airport, right beside where I am at the moment.

That wasnt expected and made for a fun start of the year for us. To be fair, I didnt even notice, but my daughter phoned me up in the middle of the night and told me Id been attacked.

While the threat of Iranian missile strikes and ISIS could not stop 61-year-old Franks team, coronavirus did.

He added: Covid restrictions have meant our operations have been a bit stop-start. All our operations were suspended when the Iraqi Government understandably put the country into lockdown. We kept people in place during the height of the pandemic so that when we did get the green light to go back to work in mid-June, we could do so with the minimum of delay.

He added: The standards of IED we are pulling out the ground are like a 20-litre jerry can with a fuse, a power source, and a switch, which is a pressure plate normally.

They are designed to make a big bang and if something that size detonates underneath you, theres only one result. Its not like anti-personnel mines that are designed to wound or maim.

These IEDs will remove all traces of you if they function and theres still a lot out there.

He said a high number of limbless people in Iraq is a direct result of the conflict over the last three decades.

The charity was founded in Afghanistan in 1988 and now removes mines and devices in 27 nations, while the UK Government has committed 272m in humanitarian support to Iraq since 2014.

Minister for the Middle East James Cleverly, praised the work of the charity, saying: Landmines are indiscriminate weapons of war that maim and kill innocent men, women and children. Their devastation lasts long after conflict has ended.

HALO Trust is a Scottish charity that is a world leader in demining. I am proud that the UK Government is working with it to help rid Iraq of these deadly explosives. committed to clearing landmines across the world, so no one has to live in fear of one wrong step.

Read more:
Thornhill-based HALO Trust destroys more than 1,000 landmines in Iraq since 2018 - Daily Record

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Top U.S. national security officials agreed on Wednesday on a proposed range of options to present to President Donald Trump aimed at deterring any attack on U.S. military or diplomatic personnel in Iraq, a senior administration official told Reuters.

FILE PHOTO: A man looks at the damage after the Iraqi military said rockets fell inside Baghdad's Green Zone, Iraq November 18, 2020. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily/File Photo

The meeting was spurred by an attack on Sunday in which rockets landed in Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone compound targeting the U.S. Embassy and causing some minor damage, the Iraqi military and the embassy said.

The so-called principals committee group, including acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser Robert OBrien met at the White House, said the official, who requested anonymity.

A range of options would be presented soon to Trump, said the official, who would not describe the content of the options or say whether they included military action.

Each one is designed to be non-escalatory and to deter further attack, the official said.

After the meeting, Trump, without giving evidence, said on Twitter that the rockets on Sunday were from Iran and we hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq.

Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over, Trump said.

The Iraqi military blamed Sundays attack on an outlaw group.

U.S. Central Command said that Sundays attack was almost certainly conducted by an Iranian-backed Rogue Militia Group.

While this 21 rocket attack caused no U.S. injuries or casualties, the attack did damage buildings in the U.S. Embassy compound, and was clearly NOT intended to avoid casualties, it said in a statement.

Another U.S. official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that after the meeting of senior leaders, the strategy was to be vocal about Sundays attack but there was not a move towards using military force. The official added that the calculus could change if there were future attacks, especially if they harmed Americans.

In recent days there has been increased concern and vigilance about what Iranian-backed forces might do in the lead up to the anniversary of a Jan. 3 U.S. drone strike in Iraq that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, the official said.

Washington blames Iran-backed militia for regular rocket attacks on U.S. facilities in Iraq, including near the embassy. No known Iran-backed groups have claimed responsibility.

The senior administration official said the aim of the White House meeting was to develop the right set of options that we could present to the president to make sure that we deter the Iranians and Shia militias in Iraq from conducting attacks on our personnel.

An array of militia groups announced in October that they had suspended rocket attacks on U.S. forces on condition that Iraqs government present a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops.

But a rocket strike on the U.S. Embassy on Nov. 18 was a clear sign that Iranian-backed militias had decided to resume attacks on U.S. bases, according to Iraqi security officials.

Washington, which is slowly reducing its 5,000 troops in Iraq, threatened to shut its embassy unless the Iraqi government reins in Iran-aligned militias.

Reporting By Steve Holland. Additional reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Grant McCool

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Top U.S. officials agree options to give Trump for any attacks on Americans in Iraq - Reuters

Iraq is banning air travel to or from eight countries to guard against the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus, and is ordering public venues like shopping malls and restaurants to close, a cabinet statement said on Tuesday.

The two-week travel prohibition comes into effect on Dec. 24 and covers Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, Iran, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands. It could be extended depending on the spread of the virus variant in those nations.

Iraqi citizens in those countries will be allowed to return, subject to a two-week quarantine on arrival.

All land borders with neighbouring nations will also be closed to travellers for two weeks, though the transport of commodities will be permitted, authorities said.

The government ordered malls, restaurants, clubs and other social venues to close for two weeks from Dec. 24.

Iraq has recorded 586,503 cases of Covid-19, including 12,725 deaths, according to the health ministry.

The ministry said it had reached an agreement with Pfizer to import 1.5 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine, which would arrive in the country early next year.

Read more:
Iraq bans air travel with eight nations over new variant of virus - Hindustan Times

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi delivers a speech during the vote on the new government at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, May 7, 2020. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office/Handout via Reuters)

On October 15, 2003, Iraq began to distribute new dinar bills, graced with the likeness of an ancient Babylonian ruler and a tenth-century mathematician. By January 15, 2004, new dinars replaced the two types of notes that were in circulation. Old Saddam dinars were swapped for new dinars at a one-to-one rate, and each so-called Swiss dinar fetched 150 new dinars. Bank accounts and contracts were converted at the same rates, and Iraqi salaries began to be paid in crisp new notes. The new currency became convertible into foreign currencies at market rates.

Iraqs currency swap was heralded with great fanfare in Baghdad and Washington. As President George W. Bush put it: The new currency symbolizes Iraqs reviving economy.

Not so fast. Iraq has lacked law and order, let alone the rule of law. Without these, we should never have expected the new notes to ignite an Iraqi Wirtschaftswunder. They most certainly have not.

Indeed, the neoconservative Paul Wolfowitz, the former Deputy Secretary of Defense and engineer of the Iraq War infamously predicted on March 27, 2003, in front of the U.S House Appropriations Committee that Theres a lot of money to pay for this . . . the oil revenues of that country could bring between $50 and $100 billion over the course of the next two or three years . . . Were dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon. Anyone who believed in this nonsense must put great faith in the Tooth Fairy.

Just look what has happened to Iraqs junk currency, the Iraqi dinar. On Saturday, the Central Bank of Iraq announced a whopping 20 percent devaluation of the dinar. So, next weeks Hankes Currency Watchlist, which is nothing more than a rogues gallery of junk currencies, will include the Iraqi dinar:

This brings me back to September 2003, when I recommended that Iraq replace the dinar with the U.S. dollar. If dollarized, Iraq would then have returned to a regime that it used from 1916-31, when the Indian rupee was its legal tender. The adoption of a stable international currency would have avoided the pitfalls of Iraqi central banking and would have immediately provide Iraqis with stable money. And, while stable money might not be everything without it, everything is nothing.

Link:
Another Junk Currency, the Iraqi Dinar, Bites the Dust - National Review