Small-cap stocks in the green; CHNR, OMRI, and CRBL lead gainers

Small-cap stocks opened higher, lifted by a rescue package for the nation’s No. 2 bank, which eased bank failure worries. In addition, optimism about President-elect Obama’s economic advisory team bolstered stocks Friday and remained in play today ahead of a news conference to announce his appointments. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are China Natural Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:CHNR), Omrix Biopharm (Nasdaq:OMRI) and CBRL Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CRBL).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Copper prices were up 7% in China trading and a steep drop in the U.S. dollar against the euro should provide a lift to commodity markets.  
• Crude oil prices were up about $1.50 a barrel shortly after the open, down from the overnight peak, but still supported by the stock market upside push.
• In a radio address this weekend, Obama said he wants a two-year stimulus plan to have a goal of creating 2.5 million new jobs.  
• The rescue package for Citigroup Inc. includes $306B in loan guarantees on toxic debt assets and $20 billion in direct cash injection.

Small Cap Gainers:

• China Natural Resources Inc. was up 18% without any apparent fresh news other the general rise in commodities today. See (Nasdaq:CHNR).  
• Johnson & Johnson to acquire Omrix Biopharm for $438 Million; shares of OMRI up 17% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:OMRI).  
• CBRL Group Inc. is up 12% after the parent of Cracker Barrel restaurant and gift shops beat the earnings forecast. See (Nasdaq:CRBL).


Small Cap Losers:

• Cascade Bancorp down 13.6% on light volume in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:CACB).  
• Fundtech down over 7% in pre-market after lowering its Q4 FY2008 outlook earlier this month. See (Nasdaq:FNDT).  
• Dish Network Corp. announces agreement with Rentrak Corporation for audience measurement reporting; shares are down nearly 3% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:DISH).  
• Barr shareholders approve pending Teva acquisition; shares down 2% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:TEVA).

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