Hey Mike,
Not too long ago, I was also in the camp of those who felt there was some correlation between the apathetic share price and the subsequent endorsement of ECU from Bill Murphy and GATA.
I have since changed my opinion, mainly due the fact GATA has also endorsed other companies including Samex and Aurelian that have done very well. Samex has increased 10 times from its lows in 2009 and we all know what happened to Aurelian when they hit the mother-lode.
There are other juniors out there with the same trading pattern as ECU, yet are not endorsed by GATA or Bill Murphy. Some have just announced financing, some are debt free, some have less shares outstanding, etc.
In 2006, ECU made it's meteoric move with Bill Murphy on board. The long bullion, short juniors trade is believed to have commenced in late 2007 and if you believe that must unwind as some point (as I do) the junior shares, including ECU will begin to move at that time, with or without Murphy's endorsement. Fantastic drill results could help accelerate that process.
As for the news day, more great drilling assays as Argoz has calculated and it's also nice hearing we are well into the MS zone.