Small-cap stocks open low; RPRX, VSEC, and AZZ lead gainers
Small-cap stocks drifted lower, pulled down by concerns over sizable upward revisions in recent employment reports, which countered any upside glee when the headline non-farm figure was below “worst-case” scenarios. The market is now in a position today of working out whether this jobs report is already priced into the market, or reflects a little darker picture than current stock market valuations. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Repros Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:RPRX), VSE Corporation (Nasdaq:VSEC) and AZZ Incorporated (NYSE:AZZ).
Other Market Watch highlights today included:
• The Russell 2000 chart picture continues in a sideway consolidation pattern. The market needs a decisive push above 514.50 or below 491 to suggest a breakout move is at hand.
• Stock index futures saw a modest bounce as non-farm payroll declines were not as bad as the “whisper” numbers.
• The employment report wasn’t as bad as feared, but it still generated a pullback in the U.S. dollar and a rise in gold.
• U.S. stocks are expected to open near steady levels after this morning's jobs report.
Small Cap Gainers:
• Repros Therapeutics, Inc. and VSE Corporation established new 52-week highs in early trading. (See Nasdaq:RPRX, Nasdaq:VSEC)
• JAZZ Incorporated is up 14.4% to $28.31 after a mostly upbeat Q3 earnings report. AZZ makes electrical equipment and components for power generation, transmission, and distribution. (See NYSE:AZZ)
• Disease-management program administrator Healthways Inc. is up 11% to $11.48 after reporting late Thursday a 13% Q1 profit gain. (See Nasdaq:HWAY)
• American Medical Systems Holdings Inc. is up 10.7% in pre-market trading, to $9.85, after reporting better-than-expected preliminary Q4 sales after the close Thursday. (See Nasdaq:AMMD)
Small Cap Losers:
• Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. is down 31.4% to $4.15 in pre-market trading, after a report last night that the results of a weight-loss drug fell short of fed requirements. (See Nasdaq:OREX)
• Railway-equipment maker Greenbrier Cos Inc. is down 15.5% to $6.70 after reporting this morning that it swung to a first-quarter loss. (See NYSE:GBX)
• Telecommunications network equipment maker Ciena Corp. is down 5% in pre-market to $8.31. CNBC's Jim Cramer last night put the firm in his "sell block" after a recent run-up in the stock. (See Nasdaq:CIEN)
Other Market Watch highlights today included:
• The Russell 2000 chart picture continues in a sideway consolidation pattern. The market needs a decisive push above 514.50 or below 491 to suggest a breakout move is at hand.
• Stock index futures saw a modest bounce as non-farm payroll declines were not as bad as the “whisper” numbers.
• The employment report wasn’t as bad as feared, but it still generated a pullback in the U.S. dollar and a rise in gold.
• U.S. stocks are expected to open near steady levels after this morning's jobs report.
Small Cap Gainers:
• Repros Therapeutics, Inc. and VSE Corporation established new 52-week highs in early trading. (See Nasdaq:RPRX, Nasdaq:VSEC)
• JAZZ Incorporated is up 14.4% to $28.31 after a mostly upbeat Q3 earnings report. AZZ makes electrical equipment and components for power generation, transmission, and distribution. (See NYSE:AZZ)
• Disease-management program administrator Healthways Inc. is up 11% to $11.48 after reporting late Thursday a 13% Q1 profit gain. (See Nasdaq:HWAY)
• American Medical Systems Holdings Inc. is up 10.7% in pre-market trading, to $9.85, after reporting better-than-expected preliminary Q4 sales after the close Thursday. (See Nasdaq:AMMD)
Small Cap Losers:
• Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. is down 31.4% to $4.15 in pre-market trading, after a report last night that the results of a weight-loss drug fell short of fed requirements. (See Nasdaq:OREX)
• Railway-equipment maker Greenbrier Cos Inc. is down 15.5% to $6.70 after reporting this morning that it swung to a first-quarter loss. (See NYSE:GBX)
• Telecommunications network equipment maker Ciena Corp. is down 5% in pre-market to $8.31. CNBC's Jim Cramer last night put the firm in his "sell block" after a recent run-up in the stock. (See Nasdaq:CIEN)
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