Shamir Optical: Beginning to see the light

Shares of Shamir Optical Industry (Nasdaq:SHMR) have literally seen better days, but it's now starting to flex its optic muscles, turning in first-half 2008 results that suggest an end to the lows... | Nasdaq: SHMR |Comment

Russ Berrie falls 15% on Q2 net loss

Shares of Russ Berrie and Company Inc. (NYSE:RUS) fell 15% this morning after the firm reported at 8:45 a.m. a net loss of $12.1 million, or $0.57 per share, for the second quarter ended June 30. | NYSE: RUS |Comment

Value Find: Crown Crafts Inc.

With a push from its largest shareholder, little-followed microcap play Crown Crafts Inc. (Nasdaq:CRWS) could be poised to finally unlock shareholder value in the coming quarters. | Nasdaq: CRWS |Comment

Helen of Troy CEO "pleased with record sales"

Helen of Troy Limited (Nasdaq:HELE) CEO Gerald Rubin said the economic environment remains challenging for the personal-care products maker but that the El Paso, Texas-based firm is poised to... | Nasdaq: HELE |Comment

American Greetings drops 20% on bleak earnings report

American Greetings Corporation (NYSE:AM) plunged more than 20% in midday trading Wednesday after the company reported sharply lower earnings for the quarter ended May 30. | NYSE: AM |Comment

Inter Parfums: Wake up and smell the perfume

No matter which way you spritz it, success always smells sweet. Just ask Inter Parfums, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPAR). | Nasdaq: IPAR |1 Comment

Jakks Pacific: Not all fun and games

Getting toys to market isn’t child’s play, but Jakks Pacific Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) is one company that is winning this game. | Nasdaq: JAKK |Comment

Summer Infant: Worth going gaga over

With the coming of any newborn, parents tend to childproof everything, from cupboard doors to staircases, to ensure the safety of their little one. But what about childproofing your next... | SUMR |Comment

Johnson Outdoors swings to Q3 profit

Johnson Outdoors Inc. (Nasdaq: JOUT) shares are down slightly even though the maker of outdoor recreation products swung to a fourth-quarter profit of $1.5 million, or $0.16 per share, from a loss... | JOUT |Comment

Russ Berrie & Co. CEO bullish on holiday sales

Russ Berrie & Co. (NYSE: RUS) CEO Andy Gatto said the Oakland, N.J.-based maker and marketer of gift and kids’ products expects to deliver much of its $36 million backlog during the fourth... | RUS |Comment

Spectrum Brands signs Disney deal, projects FY08 growth

Spectrum Brands, Inc. (NYSE: SPC) CEO Ken Hussey announced during a midday conference call that the consumer products maker signed an exclusive three-year deal with The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS).... | SPC |Comment

Lifetime Brands posts lackluster Q3 earnings, lowers guidance

Lifetime Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: LCUT), which offers nationally branded kitchenware, tabletop and home décor products, this morning reported third-quarter earnings substantially below analysts’... | LCUT |Comment

LSI Industries down after missing Q1 sales estimates

LSI Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: LYTS) shares are down after the lighting products company reported first-quarter sales rose 3.8% to $90 million, missing analyst expectations of $93.8 million and... | LYTS |Comment

Trident Microsystems books disappointing Q3, lowers outlook

Shares of Trident Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRID) are sagging this morning after the provider of digital TV technology for the consumer digital video marketplace, reported disappointing fiscal... | TRID |Comment

Ultralife Batteries receives orders from U.S. Air Force for $2.3M

Ultralife Batteries, Inc., (Nasdaq: ULBI), a manufacturer and marketer of non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries, reported this morning that it received orders valued in total at approximately... | ULBI |Comment

Jakks Pacific CEO "excited" about holiday season

Jakks Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) CEO Jack Friedman said the toymaker’s partnerships—especially Disney’s Hannah Montana-branded products—provide the company with exciting opportunities.... | JAKK |Comment

Build-A-Bear Workshop up on improved Q3 results

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) shares are edging up after the stuffed bear retailer reported third-quarter net income of $3 million, or $0.15 per share, missing analyst expectations of... | BBW |Comment

The Bon-Ton Stores to lower full year guidance

Shares of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: BONT) are slipping this morning after the department store said after the close Tuesday that it no longer expects to meet its previously announced full... | BONT |Comment

Kellwood Comany rejects Sun Capital bid

Kellwood Company (NYSE: KWD), a marketer of apparel and consumer soft goods, rejected a takeover bid from Sun Capital Securities Group. | KWD |Comment

WD-40 Company: Freeing a sticky stock price

Spray lubricants and cleaning solutions don't exactly set the world ablaze, at least in the United States, but products from this small cap have seen an increase in sales in the Asia-Pacific basin... | WDFC |1 Comment

Helen of Troy CEO: Company fighting "extremely challenging" environment

Helen of Troy Ltd. (Nasdaq: HELE) CEO Gerald Rubin said the developer and marketer of personal care and household consumer products is battling an “extremely challenging” retail environment.... | HELE |Comment

Jaclyn plunges on lower FY07 earnings, gloomy FY08 outlook

Shares of Jaclyn, Inc. (AMEX: JLN) are plummeting after the maker of apparel and other consumer products announced after the opening that net income during fiscal 2007 fell 53% to $0.7 million, or... | JLN |Comment

Value Find: Collector's Universe Inc.

This small cap may not be well-known on Wall Street, but its various operating units are distinguished in the collectibles industry. | CLCT |Comment

Russell 2000 rises on earnings

The Russell 2000 and the Dow ended the day and the week in positive territory following news of strong earnings from major players. | NKE |Comment

Newsletter Watch: Vanity plays

This week, we look at two small-cap plays in the health care sector, both of which could be considered “vanity plays,” as each addresses the desire of individuals to look and feel better. | OMPI |Comment

Sector Watch: Getting physical

Be it yoga, Pilates or old-fashioned pumping iron, it seems that Americans are increasingly becoming more physically and mentally health-conscious. As an investor, it might work out in your favor... | CLUB |Comment

Collectors Universe CEO: New software, Europe expansion will generate growth

Collectors Universe, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLCT) CEO Michael Haynes today said the company expects to benefit from a recent upgrade of its computer systems and a European expansion program. | Comment

Collectors Universe, Inc. swings to a fiscal Q4 loss

Collectors Universe, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLCT), which provides authentication and grading services to dealers and collectors of high-value collectibles, diamonds and colored gemstones, reported that it... | CLCT |Comment

Lifetime Brands: Homing in on the holidays

There’s a lot going on the kitchen, which is a good thing for Lifetime Brands, Inc. Seasonal strength is about to meet an uncertain consumer: Lifetime’s kitchen is ready for the test. | LCUT |Comment

Russell and Dow fall

The Russell 2000 and the Dow fell today, following a flat outlook from tech giant Texas Instruments and despite a rise in weekly mortgage applications. | TXN |Comment

Stocks open flat

The Russell 2000 and the Dow are hugging the flat line this morning on news of a steady guidance from tech giant Texas Instruments. | TXN |Comment

Modest fall for Russell 2000

The Russell 2000 futures are down and the small-cap index is likely to open lower on news of a steady outlook from a tech giant Texas Instruments. | TXN |Comment

Russell falls, Dow moves up

The Russell 2000 was the biggest loser among the U.S. indices while the Dow rose on upbeat tech news and more economic concerns. | INTC |Comment

Sideways trading on Wall Street

The Russell 2000 is down but the Dow is higher this morning on upbeat news from major players. | AAPL |Comment

iRobot: Good robot, bad robot

Home robot sales are weakening, but growth in the military/industrial sector could boost this company’ stock. | NOC |Comment

Russell 2000 muscles up

The Russell 2000 topped a rally in all indices that also saw the Dow rise sharply. | BIG |Comment

Stocks still looking strong

The Russell 2000 and the Dow are posting modest gains this afternoon. | STX |Comment

Stocks move up

The Russell 2000 and the Dow are posting solid gains as the technology sector leads the way. | STX |Comment

Russell 2000 poised to rally

The Russell 2000 futures are higher the small-cap index is set to rebound after a sharp decline on Tuesday. | STX |Comment

Stocks falling

The Russell 2000 and the Dow are down this morning. | IWM |Comment

Russell 2000 to sag

The Russell 2000 futures are just below the flat line and the index will likely open down ahead of news on July sales of existing homes. | IWM |Comment

Shoe Carnival Inc. misses Q2 expectations

Shoe Carnival Inc.’s (Nasdaq: SCVL) second-quarter earnings and revenue came in below Wall Street’s projections, the retailer reported before the opening bell. Its third-quarter guidance also... | SCVL |Comment

Perry Ellis International flat despite Q2 profit

Shares of Perry Ellis International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PERY) are flat despite news after Monday’s close that the apparel maker swung to a second-quarter profit and raised its fiscal 2008 guidance. | PERY |Comment

Canada Connection: Calgary's oilpatch

Calgary's oilpatch hasn't escaped the turmoil in credit markets. But one Canadian small-cap specialist insists there still are some investing opportunities among the "quality names" in the junior... | SFI.TO |Comment

Spartan Stores: A long shelf life

With the market roiling, now may not seem the time to restock the pantry. However, this company's got bones that may bend but not break, making the recent selloff an opportunity to start buying... | SPTN |Comment

Sector Watch: The gaming industry

Gaming is a high growth business. Here's a look at two small caps that are poised to benefit. | LACO |Comment

InPhonic falls on wider Q2 loss

Shares of InPhonic Inc. (Nasdaq: INPC) are getting bad reception on news after Thursday’s close that the online seller of wireless services and devices posted a wider second-quarter net loss that... | INPC |Comment

Russ Berrie & Company says new toys will power growth

During a morning conference call, Russ Berrie & Company (NYSE: RUS) CEO Andy Gatto said expanded product offerings will continue to grow the revenue of the maker of gifts and collectible... | RUSS |Comment

1-800-Flowers sees expanded gift and web hosting offerings

Floral and gift retailer 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLWS) plans to boost its earnings through expanded gift and web hosting offerings, CEO James McCann said during a midday conference... | FLWS |Comment

Russell rises on strong earnings

The Russell 2000 and the Dow moved up for the second consecutive day on news of strong corporate earnings. | APPB |Comment