Russell pushes higher Tuesday morning; BKR, RPRX, and CSKI lead gainers

Small-cap stocks pulled higher this morning and remained in positive ground after a mixed batch of economic reports buffeted the market. A firm tone in energy stocks, momentum from overseas gains and optimism about upcoming stimulus plans provided a lift. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Michael Baker Corporation (NYSE:BKR), Repros Therapeutics (Nasdaq:RPRX) and China Sky One Medical (Nasdaq:CSKI).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Advancers are leading decliners on the Russell 2000 by 1,402 to 372.  
• Looking at the chart picture for small-caps, the market remains in an upward consolidation mode.  
• Pending home sales were also sour, sinking 4.0% versus the consensus for a decline of 1.0%.  
• Factory orders tumbled 4.6%, much worse than the projection for a decline of 2.5%.  
• The ISM Non-Manufacturing Survey came in at 40.6, which was better than the forecast of 37.0 and a nice bounce off record lows from the previous reading.  

Small Cap Gainers:

• New 52-wk highs: Michael Baker Corporation, Repros Therapeutics, China Sky One Medical, Transmeta Corporation and Amerisafe, Inc. (See NYSE:BKR, Nasdaq:RPRX, Nasdaq:CSKI, Nasdaq:TMTA, Nasdaq:AMSF)  
• Home-nursing company Amedisys Inc. is up 16.4% to $46.93 after issuing FY09 guidance above concensus. (See Nasdaq:AMED)  

Small Cap Losers:

• LSI Industries is down 14% to $6.03 after lowering FY09 earnings and sales guidance below consensus. (See Nasdaq:LYTS)  
• VASCO Data Security International Inc. is 12% lower at $9.10 in pre-market trading after issuing downward guidance for FY2008. (See Nasdaq:VDSI) 
• Vignette Corporation is down 8.8% to $8.24 after issuing preliminary Q4 2008 results late Monday. (See Nasdaq:VIGN)  

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