Tag - CGPI

InterMune, Inc. (Nasdaq:ITMN), CompuCredit Corp. (Nasdaq:CCRT) and Macrovision Corp. (Nasdaq:MVSN) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq:PTRY), CollaGenex Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Nasdaq:CGPI) and Centennial Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:CYCL) are also among the most actively traded small-cap companies in pre-market trading.

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

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) lost ground and fell more than the other major U.S. indices as economic concerns brought out the bears. The small-cap index declined 10.72 points, or 1.50%, to 705.72. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) shed 112.10 points, or 0.88%, to 12,582.18.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has retreated 7.87%, while the Dow is down 5.15% and the S&P 500 has let go 6.86%.

Fourth-quarter economic growth was as slow as initially projected, an inflation gauge moved up, and some small banks might not survive the subprime meltdown, according to today’s economic news.

Small-cap stocks fell out of the gate on news that the U.S. Commerce Department reaffirmed its initial estimate for fourth-quarter economic growth of 0.6% at an annual rate, disappointing economists expecting an upward revision to 0.8%.

The same report showed that an index measuring the prices paid by U.S. residents increased 3.9%, above the initial estimate of 3.8%.

Separately, the U.S. Labor Department said that jobless claims for the week ended Feb. 23 were 373,000, a larger-than-expected increase from the preceding week’s upwardly revised level of 354,000.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) moved up as news of a stock buyback program by International Business Machines Corp. (Nasdaq: IBM) overshadowed worrisome economic reports. The small-cap index added 6.86 points, or 0.97%, to 717.32. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) gained 114.70 points, or 0.91%, to 12,684.92.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 6.36%, while the Dow is down 4.37% and the S&P 500 has decreased 5.93%.

The major U.S. indices interrupted their early-session volatility to post gains on news that IBM has approved a $15 billion stock buyback. The Armonk, N.Y.-based tech giant said that the buyback will boost its 2008 profit.

The announcement came at around 11 a.m. ET, and immediately sent stocks small and large flying.

The U.S. Labor Department reported that producer prices increased 1% in January, more than the expected 0.4%.

The numbers tell us that inflation pressures remain a worry despite the slowing economy.

Meanwhile, the Conference Board announced that its index of consumer confidence fell to a five-year low of 75.0 in February, down from 87.3 in January. A pullback in consumption will spell trouble for the economy, because consumer spending is about 70% of U.S. gross domestic product.

Shares of CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CGPI) are surging to a 52-week high on high volume in pre-market trading after the specialty pharmaceutical company reported early this morning that it will be acquired by Galderma Laboratories, Inc. for $16.60 per share in cash, or an aggregate value of $420 million in equity.

CollaGenex said that the transaction has already been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Galderma and CollaGenex.

CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals currently focuses on developing and marketing medical therapies for the dermatology market. In July 2006, CollaGenex launched Oracea, the first FDA-approved systemic product for the treatment of rosacea.

Galderma, which was created in 1981 as a joint venture between Nestle and L'Oreal, is a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company focused in the field of dermatology.

Shares of CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals (CGPI) surged 27.7%, or $3.55, to $16.35 on heightened volume of 275,200 shares. Shares of CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals have been trading in the range of $7.27 to $14.79 for the past 52 weeks. Typical volume for the stock is 220,145 shares.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are down and the small-cap index will open lower on news of a jump in producer prices.

Producer prices increased 1% in January, the U.S. Labor Department reported this morning. That’s more than twice the forecasted increase of 0.4% and comes following a 0.3% decline in December.

The numbers, which measure the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output, raise fears of inflation.

Small-cap stocks posted an impressive rally to start the week on Monday, paying off short-term traders who bought into Friday’s bullish "hammer" pattern on daily charts. The Russell 2000 eventually closed Monday at 710.46, up 15.03 or 2.16%. Look for support Tuesday at 704, 697 and then down at 688. Meanwhile, resistance is pegged at 717, 722.50 and 731.

If the market can extend Monday’s rise through this morning's PPI report and the 10:00 a.m. ET consumer confidence report, then a run toward the key double top at 731 could be underway. However, any failure back below 700 would suggest that Monday’s rally was a short-term move that lacked legs.

CollaGenex Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Nasdaq: CGPI), Zareba Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: ZRBA) and Voxware, Inc. (Nasdaq: VOXW) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

Investors are sending shares of CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CGPI) spiraling downward today after the specialty pharmaceutical company said that results of a Phase 2 study of a drug aimed at the treatment of rosacea did not exhibit noticeably improved conditions in patients who received doses.

Shares of CGPI tumbled $2.20, or 19.77%, to $8.93 in Wednesday morning trading.

These are the biggest percentage gainers among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million:

Seattle-based Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTICD) has been granted a fast-track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its treatment of refractory indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the company announced this morning.  Shares are up $0.04, or 0.73%, to $5.50.

The following are the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million:

These are the biggest percentage losers among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million:

The following are the most actively traded companies in pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million: