Tag - NASDAQGS:FEED

Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), Trubion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:TRBN) and Immunomedics Inc. (Nasdaq:IMMU) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), POZEN Inc. (Nasdaq:POZN), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) and Encore Wire Corp. (Nasdaq:WIRE).

American Capital Agency Corp. (Nasdaq:AGNC), China Medical Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:CMED) and Telestone Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq:TSTC) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Tongxin International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TXIC), RINO International Corp. (Nasdaq:RINO), Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) and Oncothyreon Inc. (Nasdaq:ONTY).

Old National Bancorp (Nasdaq:ONB), LNB Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:LNBB) and Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX), Webster Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:WBS), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), First Commonwealth Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:FCF), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) and Hadera Paper Ltd. (Nasdaq:AIP).

East West Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:EWBC), Dress Barn Inc. (Nasdaq:DBRN) and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Monro Muffler Brake Inc. (Nasdaq:MNRO), JDA Software Group Inc. (Nasdaq:JDAS), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Mercury Computer Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:MRCY), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX) and Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX).

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) and James River Coal Co. (Nasdaq:JRCC) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Electro-Optical Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:MELA), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:SWHC) and ADC Telecommunications Inc. (Nasdaq:ADCT).

Brightpoint Inc. (Nasdaq:CELL), Seneca Foods Corp. (Nasdaq:SENEA) and Targacept Inc. (Nasdaq:TRGT) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT), Umpqua Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:UMPQ), Resources Connection Inc. (Nasdaq:RECN) and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE).

CardioNet Inc (Nasdaq:BEAT), Cepheid (Nasdaq:CPHD) and OmniVision Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:OVTI) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AgFeed Industries Inc (Nasdaq:FEED), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:SPPI), Canadian Solar Inc (Nasdaq:CSIQ), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd (Nasdaq:APWR), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF) and STEC Inc (Nasdaq:STEC).

Dress Barn Inc. (Nasdaq:DBRN), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) and A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), IMAX Corp. (Nasdaq:IMAX), Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CLDX), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and Healthways Inc. (Nasdaq:HWAY).

EarthLink Inc. (Nasdaq:ELNK), Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. (Nasdaq:PLCE) and A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:RJET), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) and James River Coal Co. (Nasdaq:JRCC).

Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:HALO), Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:SWHC) and Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR), Focus Media Holding Ltd. (Nasdaq:FMCN), Acura Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:ACUR), Sterling Construction Co Inc. (Nasdaq:STRL), Sonic Corp. (Nasdaq:SONC) and AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED).

Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) and Medicines Co. (Nasdaq:MDCO) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (Nasdaq:ATPG), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), China Medical Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:CMED), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI).

A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT) and BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (Nasdaq:BDSI) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals In.c (Nasdaq:SPPI), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) and Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX).

Oil-Dri Corp of America (Nasdaq:ODC), Columbia Banking System Inc. (Nasdaq:COLB) and Mid Penn Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:MPB) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Chindex International Inc. (Nasdaq:CHDX), BTU International Inc. (Nasdaq:BTUI), Broadwind Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:BWEN), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT) and Cogo Group Inc. (Nasdaq:COGO).

Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SVNT), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) and TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. (Nasdaq:TQNT) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), GT Solar International Inc. (Nasdaq:SOLR), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) and Cal Maine Foods Inc (Nasdaq:CALM).

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) and China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. (Nasdaq:TQNT), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ).

AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Paragon Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:PRGN) and MannKind Corp. (Nasdaq:MNKD) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (Nasdaq:BDSI), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), Exide Technologies (Nasdaq:XIDE) and Vivus Inc. (Nasdaq:VVUS).

UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) and Union Drilling Inc. (Nasdaq:UDRL) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR), MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MAPP), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE).

TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq:TIVO), First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq:FFBC) and Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. (Nasdaq:ISLE) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: PDL BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq:PDLI), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Iconix Brand Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ICON), True Religion Apparel Inc. (Nasdaq:TRLG) and Exelixis Inc. (Nasdaq:EXEL).

AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED),Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq:DAKT) and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: NeurogesX Inc. (Nasdaq:NGSX),Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:VNDA),IMAX Corp. (Nasdaq:IMAX),Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:PARD),Omega Navigation Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq:ONAV) and CommVault Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CVLT).

If you had a chance to catch the article on page C5 in yesterday's The Wall Street Journal you probably found affirmation of what you already know about small cap stocks. It seems that Russell Investments (as in the folks from the Russell 2000 index, among others) have recently re-examined the stock market's performance coming out of recessions and they indicate there's strong evidence to suggest that small cap value stocks outperform all other coming up from the bottom.

Recent experience since the market bottom on March 9, 2009 further corroborates this thesis. We've already seen that the majority of gainers on any particular day have been small caps. Just look at some of the big gainers from just this past week: MAP Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:MAPP), SYMS Corp. (Nasdaq:SYMS), AgFeed Industries (Nasdaq:FEED), Central Jersey Bancorp (Nasdaq:CJBK), FreeSeas, Inc. (Nasdaq:FREE), Exelixis (Nasdaq:EXEL) and Dynacq Healthcare (Nasdaq:DYII), just to name a few.

And recently an analyst from Morningstar, Bradley Kay, looked back even further to 1931 and noticed that there was a big performance difference between large cap and small cap stocks during recessions and recoveries. He further stated, "small cap stocks very much lead out of a recession."

This was my strategy in 2001 through 2003 when I started my first small cap service, Growth Report, and continues to be my focus with my SmallCapInvestor PRO service (you can get more information HERE) as we've already put in 12 out of 13 winners for the year.

The time is now to load up on small cap stocks.

In today's trading news, as of 12:00 p.m. Eastern today, the DJIA and Nasdaq are posting minor losses while the S&P 500 is just barely above even from the opening bell.

Russell 2000 Index stocks are up 0.02% at 492.32, a 43.4% increase since the March 9, 2009 lows.

Small caps leading the market today include Green Plains Renewable Energy (Nasdaq:GPRE) up 30.6% in today's trading, Penson Worldwide (Nasdaq:PNSN) up 16.5%, and J Crew Group (NYSE:JCG) up 23.9% on beating analysts' Q1 EPS expectations: JCG reported earnings per share of $0.32 while analysts called for $0.10. Analysts are now revising their full-year 2010 EPS estimate to $1.15 versus an earlier estimate of $0.54.

*****The high close for the Nasdaq since the rally began was 1,763. Yesterday's close was 1,751. For the S&P 500, the high close was 929 and it closed at 906 yesterday.

I mention these levels because they are what traders are watching. Some believe that, since the indices haven't taken out prior highs, the recovery rally is overdone and that a sharp sell-off is coming. Others say the recession is ending, the economy is improving, and there's more upside coming. To them, any weakness in stock prices is consolidation for the next move higher.

It should be remembered that the Nasdaq is still around 800 points, or 32% of its 2008 highs. The S&P 500 is 660 points, or 42% off its 2008 highs. So it's not like the indices are anywhere near prior levels. Who's to say what should be a decent target for a recovering stock market?

*****We can always check price-to-earnings ratios. (I'll use numbers from the Wall St. Journal's Market Data Center. This is one of my secret weapons, but, since I'm here to help, I'll share the link so you can bookmark it --  http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/marketsdata.html#calandeco )

For the S&P 500, the trailing P/E is 15, and the forward number, based on estimates, is 15.75. For the Nasdaq, the trailing P/E is 13 and the forward number is 18.

Neither index seems extended on a price-to-earnings basis.

Oil hit a new high at $65, and inventories in the U.S. have dropped 3 weeks running. Traders believe increased demand as a result of increased economic activity is coming sooner rather than later. And bond prices have been falling, which is what you expect to see when stocks offer a more attractive risk/reward scenario.

Of course, one could also say prices fall when traders know there is a virtually unlimited supply of Treasuries hitting the market as the government needs to raise a lot of cash.

But explaining away numbers can be a bad idea. Because when we do that, we're letting our own bias creep in. That's exactly what happened last year when the drumbeat of a coming crisis started. So many pundits explained the numbers away with rosy talk.

*****The unemployment rate is nearly at 9%. Most believe double digits are inevitable. And what's worse, some are saying that high unemployment of 6%-7% may persist for years. But that doesn't necessarily mean that corporate profits will get worse from where they are now. Perhaps the current P/E ratios for the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 are appropriate. Maybe there's even some upside.

In my opinion, what's worrisome is that the next shoe to drop is still the first shoe - banks. There's no doubt that the rally for financials has come on the government's dime (that would be your tax dollars and debt to be paid by your children and grandchildren, of course). Refinances, mortgage and consumer debt modifications, investment gains from TARP money - these are all one-off windfalls. They blew in, and they will very likely blow right back out. What then?

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) currently has a forward P/E of 10. Compound annual growth for the next 5 years is 7.6%. BAC also has $225 billion more debt than cash. Quite frankly, I don't see any upside to BAC. And that makes me worry about the downside.

*****As you know, I've pointed out moments where it looked as though stocks were about to head lower with comments like "cracks are showing" or "the news cycle is turning negative." So far, no significant downside has occurred. Of course, that doesn't mean it won't.

Consumer confidence has been steadily rising, and stock prices show it. We're also moving into the summer months, which are traditionally the worst months for stocks. 

For now, the best advice is an observation - a trend is in place until it turns. There's no reason to simply sell or take downside positions now. But keep your eye in things, apply stop losses to your positions and we'll see what happens.

If you want to get a clearer idea of what's going to be happening in the markets, be sure to check out TradeMaster's Jason Cimpl sharing his thoughts on the SPX, which tracks the S&P 500. He's calling for the near term for a bullish trend. You can view the video HERE (no registration or sign up required).

MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MAPP), Origin Agritech Ltd. (Nasdaq:SEED) and AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (Nasdaq:SBLK), Take Two Interactive Software Inc. (Nasdaq:TTWO), Tessera Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:TSRA), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:VNDA).

Small caps lead today’s market (as of 2:30 p.m. Eastern) with the Russell up 4.62%, the Nasdaq up 3.27%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Index up 2.43%. Select small cap stocks leading the market include MAP Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:MAPP) up 173.02%, SYMS Corporation (Nasdaq:SYMS) up 20.1%, and with AgFeed Industries (Nasdaq:FEED) a 17.5% one day gain.

*****I hope every one had a fun and relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Pools are open, school is winding down, and summer is almost here.

There were some fireworks over the weekend, but the not the fun kind. North Korea’s Kim Jong Il staged a nuclear bomb test and fired a couple short-range missiles. It’s reported that stocks in Asia were lower after the tests, but I think we need to be more clear about the risk that North Korea poses to the financial markets.

Kim Jong Il has a long history of provocative actions that are usually designed to give him leverage. In essence, he’ll stop the tests if the world gives him money. Sure, it’s blackmail. But it’s been the easiest way to deal with the pest, especially if you’re South Korea or Japan as his primary targets, or the U.S. as the first line of defense for those nations.

I expect we are moving toward a situation where blackmail money isn’t enough. There will probably be a UN Security Council resolution and more pressure on North Korea to cease and desist.

But is North Korea’s nuclear testing really a market moving event? I’d have to say no, it is not.

*****Investors have already ramped stock prices in the face of significant economic problems. Of course, there are some pretty strong signs that the economic free-fall has stopped and the financial sector has stabilized. In this environment, corporate earnings can be expected to stabilize and that means it’s once again possible to make somewhat reliable valuation estimates for individual stocks.

In other words, a measure of uncertainty has been removed from corporate earnings. That’s what’s fueled the rally since March 10th. There’s less risk of massive earnings revisions, and that’s showed up in the VIX.

*****The VIX is the Volatility Index kept by the Chicago Board Option Exchange (CBOE). The VIX measures how much it costs to hedge a portfolio with put options against a 10% drop in the S&P 500.

The specifics of hedging with put options aren’t important here. The point is that the VIX has dropped to its lowest levels since September 12, when Lehman Bros. declared bankruptcy.

The VIX is low because institutional investors are not using put options to hedge their stock holdings. This can mean two things: investors believe stock prices are heading higher; or, as Bloomberg suggests, many investors don’t have enough profits to justify the expense of hedging. Each has very different implications.

*****If institutional investors believe there’s more upside, great. We can expect the rally to continue, or at worst, stabilize. But if investors don’t have enough profits to justify the hedging expense, it suggests they’ll simply sell at the first sign of trouble to lock in what gains they have. That’s not as good because that could send stock prices sharply lower.

*****Contrarian investment wisdom says that “When the VIX is low, it’s time to go.” This means that when investors ignore market risk, and send the VIX to low levels, a situation of “irrational exuberance” is created and it’s time to keep an eye on the exits.

But the VIX has a ways to go before it starts to indicate that investors are overly optimistic. For now, I think we’re better off interpreting the relatively low levels on the VIX as an indication that much of the systemic risk to stocks has been removed.  

Now, we have to get through the summer months, which is traditionally the worst period of the year for stocks…

How do you interpret the VIX and the numbers we’re seeing? Are you planning to load up on shares or take profits at the first sign of market weakness?

MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MAPP), Syms Corp. (Nasdaq:SYMS) and AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Oxford Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:OXM), Tween Brands Inc. (Nasdaq:TWB), iPCS Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCS), Origin Agritech Ltd. (Nasdaq:SEED), Cedar Income Fund REIT (Nasdaq:CDR) and Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:TYPE).

AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and Allos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTH) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (Nasdaq:SBLK), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:OGXI), Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:VNDA), Yadkin Valley Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:YAVY) and Aruba Networks Inc. (Nasdaq:ARUN).|

Despite opening lower this morning, small caps have shrugged off bad unemployment data and are trading higher this afternoon.

At 2:36 pm ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is up 2.78% at 484.96, while the Dow is up 0.92% and the S&P 500 is up 1.42%.

Although stocks are higher today, they are still down sharply for the week, no thanks to new data out. Today the Labor Department reported that more workers filed last week for benefits than anticipated. New claims jumped to 637,000, much more than what was forecasted. The overall number of people seeking unemployment benefits grew faster than expected, increasing to 6.6 million, while continuing claims hit a 15th straight weekly record.

Small caps on the rise today include Gildan Activewear Inc. (NYSE:GIL), up 21% after announcing second-quarter results, and Forest City Enterprises (NYSE:FCY), up 18% after guiding in line.

*****The selling got serious yesterday. But once again, as TradeMaster technical analyst Jason Cimpl forecast, the dip was a buying opportunity. Stocks are up this morning as if nothing happened…

But of course, something did happen. Cracks in the rally are beginning to show. And economic data is starting to weaken. Consider this morning’s Producer Price Index (PPI). This popular measure of inflation on the wholesale level came in stronger than expected. Prices for food are ticking upward.

No doubt the Fed is relieved to see a little strength in prices, as overall, prices have dropped 3.7% over the last 12 months. The only thing that scares the Fed more than inflation is deflation.

My question is: at what point do rising prices motivate the Fed to start sopping up the flood of liquidity it has released over the last eight months? Clearly, there will have to be stronger signs of recovery, but with the potential for full employment numbers to be higher than they’ve historically been, I can’t help but be . . .

Stocks are trading lower today as investors prepare for key company earnings later in the week and brace for a potential bankruptcy filing from General Motors.

At 12:36 pm ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is down 7.71, or 1.65%, at 460.49. The Dow is down 0.92% and the S&P 500 is down 0.46%.

Key banks, which kicked off a rally in early March when several institutions said they were profitable in the first two months of the year, will report quarterly earnings this week. Asian markets also gained more ground Monday as Japan's new $150 billion stimulus plan and upbeat news about Chinese bank lending boosted hopes for recovery in the region's major economies.

Small caps on the rise this afternoon include AgFeed Industries (Nasdaq:FEED), up 31% on heavy volume, while Rosetta Genomics (Nasdaq:ROSG) is up nearly 20% after signing a license and collaboration agreement with Prometheus Laboratories.

*****Thank you, Wells Fargo. The S&P 500 ramped nearly 4% on Friday as Wells Fargo said it expects its first-quarter earnings to be nearly double what analysts were expecting. And it wasn’t even Wells Fargo’s earnings day – the company pre-announced earnings that will be released on April 22. These days, if you have something to crow about, you do it. ASAP.

Financials have been at the forefront of the current rally, and that’s as it should be. Any good rally has to have the financials out in front. Of course, the financials are moving off such low levels that even huge percentage gains, like the 12% Citigroup was up or the 31% Wells Fargo jumped, are barely a drop in the weighted index bucket. 

Still, stocks are up and that’s good. 

*****There is some concern that Wells Fargo’s earnings surprise is more about accounting than an actual uptick in business. Some are saying that Wells Fargo’s loss reserves (money it sets aside to account for future losses) are too low, . . .

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening, maintaining an early gain on a jump in consumer confidence that helped counter absolutely dreadful reports on the housing market. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Highland Steel & Vanadium Corp. Ltd. (Nasdaq:HSVLY), TechTarget Inc.(Nasdaq:TTGT) and Synchronoss Technologies (Nasdaq:SNCR).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• In overnight trading, European shares were slightly firm, but Asia stocks took a hit, with car makers still in the spotlight.  
• Despite the gloomy home news, consumer confidence as seen in the Michigan sentiment survey rose to 60.1, better than the forecast of 58.6.  
• The truly scary news came from the existing home sales data, which showed sales at an annual rate of 4.49M units, off the 4.93M forecast.  
• The new home sales report came in at an annualized rate of 407,000 units, which was below the forecast for 415,000. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Highland Steel & Vanadium Corp. Ltd. jumped 12% and shows promising bottoming action on daily charts as the South African steel maker struggles to recover off the November lows. See (Nasdaq:HSVLY).  
• TechTarget Inc. was up nearly 10% as the IT media firm tries to sustain a nice rally off the November lows. See (Nasdaq:TTGT).  
• Synchronoss Technologies up 5% following a raised price target last week. See (Nasdaq:SNCR).
• Loral Space and Communications Inc. was up 2.8% trying to recoup some of the big slide Monday. See (Nasdaq:LORL).  

Small Cap Losers:

• American Greetings Corp. slumped 21% as the greeting card company took an earnings-related hit. See (NYSE:AM).  
• AgFeed Industries dips over 3% on very light volume. See (Nasdaq:FEED).  
• The Men's Wearhouse declines 3%, extending Monday's dramatic fall. See (NYSE:MW).
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts dips on light volume, hovering near a 52-week low of $1.76. See (NYSE:KKD).  

 

 

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the open but slipped back into negative territory about 20 minutes into the session as oversold conditions, bargain hunting and a bounce in downtrodden commodity shares battled with dreary weekly claims data, which showed the latest filings at seven-year highs and continuing claims at 25-year highs. Today’s small-cap gainers are AMAG Pharmaceuticals. (Nasdaq:AMAG), Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:OPTR) and JA Solar (Nasdaq:JASO).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Overnight, Britain’s sterling tumbled to 6 ½-year lows against the dollar.  
• The international trade report came out at the same time as claims and reflected a trade deficit of $56.5 billion, slightly better than the forecast.  
• Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the open but slipped back into negative territory about 20 minutes into the session.  
• Crude prices were up about $0.40 a barrel ahead of the U.S. stock market open.  
• The weekly unemployment claims report came in at 516,000, well ahead of the forecast for 480,000 and at the highest point since Sept. 2001.

Small Cap Gainers:

• AMAG Pharmaceuticals announces Ferumoxytol resubmission designated complete, Class 1 response by the FDA. Shares pop 80% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:AMAG).  
• Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc. up 13% in pre-market following news on Wednesday that the firm’s antibiotic drug met late-stage trial goals. See (Nasdaq:OPTR).  
• JA Solar up 5% in pre-market on very light volume; shares plummeted Wednesday on its Q3 loss, Q4 outlook. See (Nasdaq:JASO).  
• Clean Energy Fuels up 4.2% in pre-market ahead of its Q3 earnings release today. See (Nasdaq:CLNE).  

Small Cap Losers:

• WellCare Health Plans Inc. tumbled 44%, gapping lower to 52-week lows. See (NYSE:WCG).  
• AgFeed Industries, Inc. lowers FY 2008 EPS guidance; shares tank 33% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:FEED).
• A-Power Energy Generation down 7.21% in pre-market on lower-than-average volume. See (Nasdaq:APWR).  
• Sina Q3 profit rises, provides Q4 revenue outlook. Shares are down 5.2% in pre-market on light volume. See (Nasdaq:SINA).  

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd (Nasdaq:APWR) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Paragon Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:PRGN), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Ciena Corp. (Nasdaq:CIEN), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Hiveld Steel Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:HSVLY) and NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) and UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI), Digital Ally Inc. (Nasdaq:DGLY), Hercules Offshore Inc. (Nasdaq:HERO) and AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: UCBH Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:UCBH), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS), Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq:SLXP), China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

YRC Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:YRCW), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) and A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) are among the new 52-week lows in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: CBL & Associates REIT (Nasdaq:CBL), OfficeMax Inc. (Nasdaq:OMX), Arlington Tankers Ltd. (Nasdaq:ATB), Xyratex Ltd. (Nasdaq:XRTX), Bowne & Co Inc. (Nasdaq:BNE) and Consolidated Graphics Inc. (Nasdaq:CGX).

Here are the new 52-week lows among small caps:

China Precision Steel Inc. (Nasdaq:CPSL), Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq:GILT) and China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.           

Also included among the results: Frontier Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:FTBK), Hoku Scientific Inc. (Nasdaq:HOKU), Given Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq:GIVN), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Fundtech Ltd. (Nasdaq:FNDT) and Digi International Inc. (Nasdaq:DGII).   

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:           
        

Small-cap stocks started out the week with a thud, sinking hard and fast amid concerns about the relentless credit crisis and a potential slowdown in global growth. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) tumbled 17.06, or 2.31%, to 720.54, generating the largest one-day decline in about four weeks. The Russell is now down 5.93% for the year, while the Dow is down 14.1% after slipping 2.08% Monday. The S&P 500 lost 1.96% today and is off 13.7% for the year.

Financial stocks were once again bloodied, as investors are not confident in bank, brokerage or insurance shares amid slumping economic conditions and uncertainty about the extent of debt write-downs emanating from the mortgage and housing swoon. American International Group (NYSE:AIG) tumbled to 13-year lows today, sinking 5.7% on analyst downgrades, and other financial stocks were also pummeled. The up-and-down (mostly down) world at Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LEH) took a turn for the worse today as concerns were voiced about the proposed Korean buyer that emerged late last week. LEH slumped 11.2% on the talk. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund shed 3.3% and the PHLX KBW Banking Index was off 3.2%. Nearly every large name bank was in the red today, and that selling momentum spread easily into small-cap financial stocks as well.

Fresh data on the housing arena failed to instill confidence in the bulls that things were ready to improve. Even though the headline figure on existing home sales came in above the forecast (plus 3.1% versus plus 0.9%), there were still troubling elements in the report, included a record high supply of homes on the market and steep price declines from last year. The market will get more data on the housing picture with Tuesday morning’s Case-Shiller Home Price Index, and then later in the morning from the New Home Sales report.

Financials and the never-ending credit crisis weren’t the only worries facing investors today. Talk that the International Monetary Fund was lowering global growth projections was troubling for technology, small-cap and industrial names, and today’s index losses were paced by the tech-laden Nasdaq 100 and the Russell 2000. Within the tech sector, big firms like Apple Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL) and Research in Motion Ltd. (Nasdaq:RIMM) lost 2.3% and 3.1%, respectively. On the industrial front, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) and 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) were . . .

Small-cap stocks fell hard into mid-session trading, pulled down by renewed concerns about the ongoing credit crisis, which continues to haunt the financial arena. In addition, fretting about a global growth slowdown kept tech stocks and industrial shares on the defensive. At 12:45 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 17.79, or 2.41%, at 719.81.

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its global growth forecast for the next two years, which could stunt expansion for tech stocks and industrial companies that sell aggressively overseas. Small-cap stocks have tended to mirror price action in the tech arena of late and both the Russell 2000 and the tech-laden Nasdaq 100 were pacing today’s sharp slide in equities.

Financial stocks were sinking once again today, with the PHLX KBW Banking Index off nearly 3%. Almost every big-name financial, bank and brokerage stock was in the red today, which spilled into the smaller-cap financial names as well. Jitters about the financial situation were heightened by yet another bank failure over the weekend, as Federal regulators seized control of the Columbian Bank and Trust Company, which marked the ninth bank failure of the year.

Regional banks and insurance firms were among the worst performers today in the stock market, but the array of losing sectors was surprisingly diverse, with steel, construction materials, casinos and electrical equipment manufacturers all incurring stiff losses. The only sector seeing decent gains today was home furnishings…it is rare to see declines spread across such a diverse area of equities.

Small-caps on the move today include Quest Resource Corp. (Nasdaq:QRCP), which was down about 25% amid news of a change in leadership positions at the firm. Also, Quest Energy Partners LP (Nasdaq:QELP), tumbled 18% on unusually . . .

AgFeed Industries Inc.’s (Nasdaq:FEED) stock got a 15% boost this morning after the commercial hog producer affirmed its 2008 earnings guidance.

The New York-based company also announced before the bell this morning that it plans to acquire four producing commercial hog farms by early September.

Citing a favorable market environment in its business, declining raw materials input costs and greater operating efficiencies from operations, AgFeed affirmed its previously reported 2008 adjusted net earnings per share guidance of between $1.08 and $1.20 per share.

Analysts polled by Thomson First Call are expecting $1 per share.

By mid-morning, shares of AgFeed are at $12.20, up $1.61 from Friday’s close. The stock has traded between $7.11 and $21.31 during the past 52 weeks.

For detailed price information and news stories on AgFeed Industries, click FEED.

TurboChef Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:OVEN), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Hoku Scientific Inc. (Nasdaq:HOKU) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.   

Also included among the results: Omega Navigation Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq:ONAV), Fundtech Ltd. (Nasdaq:FNDT), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Cytori Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CYTX), China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) and Penson Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:PNSN).       

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:       

It’s been a sharp upward assent for the Russell 2000 thus far this session. The small cap index remains at its high intraday, as a sparse docket of economic data pushed investors to focus on oil’s descent.

At 1:04 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) had surged 15.90, or 2.17% to 750.20, while the Dow has turned green and is up 68.63, or 0.58% to 11,802.95.

Today’s rally comes on the heels of a robust performance on Friday. It’s good news to see that small caps haven’t plunged back into the red coming off that strong resurgence last week, but rather are adding to that. 

After flickering between the green and the red for a good portion of the session, oil has given back roughly $2 touching a low for the session of $113 and change per barrel. The commodity remains roughly 22% below record levels of nearly $148 a barrel reached in July.

An increasing consensus for slower growth in the second half that would in turn par energy consumption has taken the forefront as the catalyst for oil, driving the commodity lower.

However, traders continue to follow the latest moves surrounding the showdown between Russia and Georgia over the province of South Ossetia. Commodities traders are focusing on whether the fighting will further damage any oil infrastructure in Georgia that would in turn thwart the transportation of oil to central Asia and Europe. Reports already show that Russian bombers struck an oil pipeline in Georgia. It is stunning that oil hasn’t reacted with a violent upswing to the damaged infrastructure, as has been the typical historical behavior recently to a possible supply disruption.

Small-cap stocks hovered near steady levels in choppy morning action, with support from last week’s impressive rally countered by profit-taking and unease toward the crude oil market. At 10:02 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 1.43, or 0.20% at 735.73.

Crude oil prices backed off the overnight highs into the stock market open, but remain in positive territory as traders were concerned that the military conflict between Russia and Georgia could disrupt oil transport through the Caspian region. Still, a mild upside push in crude oil this morning hardly takes the shine off last week’s collapse in energy prices, which highlighted a welcome pullback on the commodity inflation front.

A big part of last week’s bullish story revolved around a stunning appreciation in the U.S. dollar, which exploded against both the euro and the yen, reaching multi-month highs against worldwide currency products in the process. This morning, the greenback was tame, basically flat vs. the euro, and down about 0.3% against the yen.

Without any major economic data on the docket today, stock market investors should be free to focus on company news, macro trends and gyrations in commodities.

Shares of AgFeed Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) are jumping on heightened volume in pre-market trading after the Chinese commercial hog producer and premix feed company posted second-quarter results that soared from a year ago and bested the consensus on Wall Street. The small cap also raised its full year guidance that also trumped analysts’ mean estimates. AgFeed did note that guidance is contingent upon anticipated closings of already identified potential hog farm acquisition targets.

The company saw revenues rocket 417% and net income soar 350%, as it expanded retail chain store sales, broadened commercial hog farm direct sales channels, and expanded brand awareness of AgFeed’s quality of products. Results were also owed to successful integration of recently acquired producing hog farms.

Shares surged 21%, or $2.64, to $15.20 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and recent news stories about AgFeed Industries, click FEED.

AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Zoran Corp. (Nasdaq:ZRAN) and Bronco Drilling Co Inc. (Nasdaq:BRNC) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.   

Also included among the results: i2 Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ITWO), Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS), Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM), Advanced Battery Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ABAT), China Finance Online Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JRJC) and BancTrust Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:BTFG).   

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:           

In the United States, pork might be "the other white meat," but in China, it's the only meat. Well, almost.

Far more than any other meat, pork occupies a special place in the Chinese diet and economy. Supporting a hog market estimated to be worth $32 billion annually, the Chinese consume more pork than any other nation. It is prepared in almost every conceivable way, from roasted whole suckling pigs, commonly served during holiday feasts, to sweet and sour pork, whose Americanized version is a Chinese restaurant staple. Pork accounts for two-thirds of the average Chinese's protein intake.

Last year, spiraling pork prices amid shortages tied to severe weather in southern China and an outbreak of "blue ear" disease — a form of swine flu that decimated up to 2 million pigs — left Chinese shoppers suffering from the same sticker shock as Americans filling up at the pump these days. Today, pork prices continue to rise as producers who are feeling the pinch of pricey feed and fuel pass along costs. As of this April, pork prices in China had increased a further 68% from the same time last year.

The vast majority of China's annual population of between 500 and 600 million hogs is raised on small farms. And with the nation's appetite for pork and pork products growing with consumers’ prosperity, producers are unable to meet demand. To fill the supply gap, China has sealed importation deals with U.S. pork and meat processing giant Smithfield Foods Inc. (NYSE:SFD) and its rival Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN) to put American pork on Chinese tables.

Despite surging expenses that are plaguing companies in the sector, AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), a leading pork producer and livestock feed grain maker, is setting the stage to bring home the bacon in the fast-growing market. AgFeed develops, manufactures, distributes and sells pre-mix feed and feed additives primarily for use in China's pork husbandry and slaughter market. It is also engaged in the raising, breeding and sale of hogs for the domestic pork production and hog-breeding markets. The company, which does business through a handful of subsidiaries, has production plants in Shanghai, Nanchang and Nanning, . . .

InterDigital Inc (Nasdaq:IDCC), Pyramid Oil Co (Nasdaq:PDO) and OfficeMax Inc (Nasdaq:OMX) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Royale Energy Inc (Nasdaq:ROYL), Asset Acceptance Capital Corp (Nasdaq:AACC), James River Coal Co (Nasdaq:JRCC), AgFeed Industries Inc (Nasdaq:FEED), Mexco Energy Corp (Nasdaq:MXC) and Heritage Financial Group (Nasdaq:HBOS).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) announced Wednesday it is expecting favorable second-quarter earnings. The China-based commercial hog producer and premix feed company said it sold a record number of hogs for the quarter ended June 30. The company also said lower production costs due to better operating efficiency helped expand profit margins for the quarter.

Ahead of the bell Wednesday, AgFeed was mostly flat, trading at $13.93, up $0.04 from Tuesday’s close.

Hurco Cos Inc (Nasdaq:HURC), Black Box Corp (Nasdaq:BBOX) and Rediff.com India Ltd (Nasdaq:REDF) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

AgFeed Industries Inc (Nasdaq:FEED), Pacific Sunwear of California Inc (Nasdaq:PSUN) and Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:ALXA) are also among the biggest percentage losers.

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

AgFeed Industries Inc (Nasdaq:FEED), RAM Energy Resources Inc (Nasdaq:RAME) and EMCORE Corp (Nasdaq:EMKR) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Orion Energy Systems Inc (Nasdaq:OESX), Moldflow Corp (Nasdaq:MFLO) and Ascent Solar Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:ASTI) are also among the most actively traded companies.

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

EMCORE Corp (Nasdaq:EMKR), Website Pros Inc (Nasdaq:WSPI) and Alvarion Ltd. (Nasdaq:ALVR) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

STEC Inc (Nasdaq:STEC), NextWAVE Wireless Ord Shs (Nasdaq:WAVE), AgFeed Industries Inc (Nasdaq:FEED) and TASER International Inc (Nasdaq:TASR) are also among the most actively traded small-cap companies in pre-market trading.

Here are the most actively traded small-cap companies in Monday's pre-market trading: