Tag - CRDN

Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN), Callaway Golf Co. (Nasdaq:ELY) and Great Southern Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:GSBC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Blyth Inc. (Nasdaq:BTH), Oriental Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:OFG), Titan Machinery Inc. (Nasdaq:TITN), Medifast Inc. (Nasdaq:MED), Brown Shoe Company Inc. (Nasdaq:BWS) and Firstbank Corp. (Nasdaq:FBMI).

Vivus Inc. (Nasdaq:VVUS), Exide Technologies (Nasdaq:XIDE) and GigaMedia Ltd. (Nasdaq:GIGM) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Omniture Inc (Nasdaq:OMTR), Federal Mogul Corp. (Nasdaq:FDML), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN), STEC Inc. (Nasdaq:STEC) and SunPower (Nasdaq:SPWRA).

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), ViroPharma Inc. (Nasdaq:VPHM) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Provident Bankshares Corp. (Nasdaq:PBKS), GT Solar International Inc. (Nasdaq:SOLR), Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:ARNA), Verigy Ltd. (Nasdaq:VRGY), Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) and Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN).

Small-cap stocks remained higher into midday trading, with retailer, airline and technology shares leading the way in quiet pre-holiday activity. Today's small-cap percentage gainers are: National CineMedia Inc. (Nasdaq:LOPE), Synta Pharma (NYSE:CHG), and Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd.(NYSE:GNK).

Other Market Watch highlights included:

• Advancers are leading decliners on the Russell 2000 by 1,261 to 496. Nearly 60 companies are unchanged.   Dec 31, 2008 11:17am
• Small-caps edged higher in early trading, lifted in very light pre-holiday activity by the bullish surprise on weekly claims and mild support from gains in overseas trading.   Dec 31, 2008 10:02am
• The Russell 2000 chart reflects a market stuck in a consolidation range, but the quick bounce off key short-term support near 461 was a promising development.   Dec 31, 2008 8:45am
• Stock index futures had a brief, mild upside pop on the claims report, but the move seemed muted relative to the surprise element of the news.

Small Cap Gainers:

•In-theater advertising seller National CineMedia Inc. is up 12% to $10.11. (See Nasdaq:NCMI)  
•Synta Pharma continued to rise after Tuesday's announcement that it entered into a pact with Roche. Shares are up 13% to $6.45. (See Nasdaq:SNTA) 
• Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. is up 16.4% to $14.72. On Tuesday the company said it has taken delivery of a new ship chartered by Cargill International. (See NYSE:GNK)

Small Cap Losers:

• Nalco Holding Co. is down 20% to $11.21 after topping the list of biggest percentage gainers on the NYSE at the close Tuesday. (See NYSE:NLC)
• VeriFone Holdings is down 10% to $5.02. After Tuesday's close, the company said it will file its annual report with the SEC late as it assesses changes. (See NYSE:PAY)
• Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corp. is down 8% to $26.27 after reporting late Tuesday it is likely to take a material impairment charge in Q4. (See NYSE:PGC)
• Ceradyne Inc. is down 5.7% to $19.43 after Morgan Joseph downgraded the technical ceramics products maker to "Hold" from "Buy." (See NYSE:CRDN)  

Center Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:CNBC), Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX) and DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN), TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:TSYS), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Ariba Inc. (Nasdaq:ARBA), Axsys Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:AXYS) and ev3 Inc. (Nasdaq:EVVV).

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) pushed higher Friday, gaining a boost from merger activity in the banking sector, a jump in restaurant shares and a lift from news of a rescue plan for automakers. All of those factors help offset sloppy action in commodities, and worries about retailer sales into a key shopping weekend. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Provident Bankshares (Nasdaq:PBKS), MAP Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:MAPP) and Rubicon Technology (Nasdaq:RBCN).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Tech stocks were a noteworthy source of strength Friday.
• Energy and commodity physical markets struggled today, weighed down by concerns about demand amid slumping economic conditions.
• Crude oil futures eventually closed down $2.35 a barrel, or 6%, at $33.87, the lowest close for a nearby contract since February 2004.
• Retailer shares were a source of weakness for stocks today, a gloomy note into what has been billed as the busiest shopping weekend of the entire year.
• Looking ahead to next week’s action, the market will be facing what is historically one of the slowest weeks of the year. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• M&T Bank Corporation will qcquire Provident Bankshares Corp. (Nasdaq:PBKS); shares of PBKS closed up a whopping 60% on the news.
• MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MAPP) soared 36% on unusually . . .

Arthrocare Corp (Nasdaq:ARTC), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (Nasdaq:EGLE) and PDL BioPharma Inc (Nasdaq:PDLI) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Ceradyne Inc (Nasdaq:CRDN), Safe Bulkers Inc (Nasdaq:SB), Citi Trends Inc (Nasdaq:CTRN), Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc (Nasdaq:HMIN), CNB Financial Corp (Nasdaq:CCNE) and Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd (Nasdaq:GNK).

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), Provident Bankshares Corp. (Nasdaq:PBKS) and Arthrocare Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTC) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Take Two Interactive Software Inc (Nasdaq:TTWO), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (Nasdaq:EGLE), Clean Energy Fuels Corp (Nasdaq:CLNE), Ciena Corp (Nasdaq:CIEN), TBS International Ltd (Nasdaq:TBSI) and Ceradyne Inc (Nasdaq:CRDN).

Parexel International Corporation (Nasdaq:PRXL), Kendle International Inc. (Nasdaq:KNDL) and Convergys Corp. (Nasdaq:CVG) are among the new 52-week lows in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN), American Ecology Corp. (Nasdaq:ECOL), Cynosure Inc. (Nasdaq:CYNO), Crane Co. (Nasdaq:CR), Hill International Inc. (Nasdaq:HIL) and Greenlight Capital Re Ltd. (Nasdaq:GLRE).

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

Parexel International Corporation (Nasdaq:PRXL), Meritage Homes Corp. (Nasdaq:MTH) and Rent-A-Center Inc. (Nasdaq:RCII) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Cynosure Inc. (Nasdaq:CYNO), Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN), LSB Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:LXU), Convergys Corp. (Nasdaq:CVG), Kendle International Inc. (Nasdaq:KNDL) and American Ecology Corp. (Nasdaq:ECOL).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks were in rally mode Tuesday morning, taking flight in response to signs of a thaw in the credit market freeze, oversold conditions that brought out bargain hunters and a sizable jump in overseas equities markets. From an economic data perspective, today’s consumer confidence report and Case-Shiller Home Price Index releases were somber at best.  Today’s small-cap gainers are Apria Healthcare Group Inc. (NYSE:AHG), Syms Corp. (Nasdaq:SYMS) and Smith Micro Software (Nasdaq:SMSI).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Crude oil prices were up about $1 a barrel this morning, helped along by a mild dip in the U.S. dollar against the euro.  
• European energy stocks also were in rally mode today, which should provide a lift to U.S. energy stocks as well.  
• After a global rout in equities Monday, investors came in today with relief that stocks in Asia and Europe were in rally mode instead of deepening the slide. 
• The dip in Libor rates also corresponds with the FOMC meeting, which began today and which should result in a rate cut Wednesday afternoon. 
• Small-cap stocks were in rally mode Tuesday morning, currently up 2% and taking flight in response to signs of a thaw in the credit market freeze.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Apria Healthcare Group Inc. is rallying 45%. Its stock will cease to trade publicly when a merger with The Blackstone Group is completed; shares will be converted into $21 cash. See (NYSE:AHG).  
• Syms Corp. is up 18%, trying to reverse Monday’s decline to fresh closing lows. See (Nasdaq:SYMS).
• Dell Selects Smith Micro Software to Deliver Universal Connection Management Software, up 5%. See (Nasdaq:SMSI).  
• Schnitzer Steel cautioned markets in early F09 have significantly weakened and it is uncertain when improvements may be seen. (Nasdaq:SCHN).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Ceradyne reports Q3 net income tumbles 40%, guides 2008 below the Street. See (Nasdaq:CRDN).  
• The nation’s largest rent-to-own operator Rent-A-Center reduces Q4 outlook on severity of financial crisis, down 33%. See (Nasdaq:RCII).  
• Martha Stewart misses analysts estimate by penny, issues Q4 and 08 revenue below Street. See (NYSE:MSO).
• Buffalo Wild Wings’ EPS fall short of Street view, expects sales and EPS growth in 25% range for full year, just shy of the Street.  (Nasdaq:BWLD).  

UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) 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: American Superconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:AMSC), Willis Lease Finance Corp. (Nasdaq:WLFC), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF), Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC), Bank of the Ozarks Inc. (Nasdaq:OZRK) and Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Ceradyne, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN), which develops ceramic products and components for defense, industrial, automotive/diesel and commercial uses, said this morning that it received a $73 million order for Small Arms Protective Inserts body armor plates. This order is the company’s first volume production delivery order against a five year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with the U.S. Army announced Monday.

Shares were halted in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and news stories on Ceradyne, click CRDN.

An analyst downgrade sent Ceradyne Inc.'s (Nasdaq:CRDN) stock down 6.6% this morning.
 
Wachovia Capital Markets' Gary Liebowitz downgraded the stock to "underperform" from "market perform," reportedly because one of the firm's contracts to supply body armor to the U.S. army might get delayed for a second time, potentially impacting Ceradyne's future earnings.
 
Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Ceradyne is trading at $41.70, down $2.95 from Tuesday's close. Shares have traded as low as $27.77 and as high as $78.92 during the past year.
 
For detailed price information and news stories on Ceradyne, click CRDN.