Tag - CTRN

TechTarget Inc. (Nasdaq:TTGT), Tower Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:TOBC) and Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Cardiovascular Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CSII), Medicinova Inc. (Nasdaq:MNOV), C&F  Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:CFFI), Williams Controls Inc. (Nasdaq:WMCO), Cyberonics Inc. (Nasdaq:CYBX) and BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:BBX).

Female Health Co. (Nasdaq:FHCO), Books-A-Million Inc. (Nasdaq:BAMM) and Universal Forest Products Inc. (Nasdaq:UFPI) are among the new 52-week highs in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: ArcSight Inc. (Nasdaq:ARST), Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN), Travelzoo Inc. (Nasdaq:TZOO), Clearwater Paper Corp. (Nasdaq:CLW), Rentrak Corp. (Nasdaq:RENT) and Central Garden & Pet Co. (Nasdaq:CENT).

Teekay Tankers Ltd. (Nasdaq:TNK), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) and BNC Bancorp (Nasdaq:BNCN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Chindex International Inc. (Nasdaq:CHDX), Alyst Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq:AYA), Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN), Valhi Inc. (Nasdaq:VHI), Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX) and Pzena Investment Management Inc. (Nasdaq:PZN).

Hooker Furniture Corp. (Nasdaq:HOFT), Old Second Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:OSBC) and Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Pantry Inc. (Nasdaq:PTRY), Neutral Tandem Inc. (Nasdaq:TNDM), Skilled Healthcare Group Inc. (Nasdaq:SKH), AirTran Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:AAI), Flexsteel Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FLXS) and Volt Information Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:VOL).

Tessera Technologies Inc.(Nasdaq:TSRA), Hot Topic Inc.(Nasdaq:HOTT) and Canadian Solar Inc.(Nasdaq:CSIQ) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd.(Nasdaq:SOLF), Paragon Shipping Inc (Nasdaq:PRGN), Century Aluminum Co.(Nasdaq:CENX), Kirklands Inc.(Nasdaq:KIRK), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.(Nasdaq:EGLE) and Citi Trends Inc.(Nasdaq:CTRN).

Trina Solar Ltd. (Nasdaq:TSL), LDK Solar Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:LDK) and Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Texas Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:TXI), Scholastic Corp. (Nasdaq:SCHL), Gibraltar Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:ROCK), GT Solar International Inc. (Nasdaq:SOLR) and Woodward Governor Co. (Nasdaq:WGOV).

Imperial Sugar Co. (Nasdaq:IPSU), Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) and TIBCO Software Inc. (Nasdaq:TIBX) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Atheros Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHR), International Bancshares Corp. (Nasdaq:IBOC), Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. (Nasdaq:PNFP), ValueClick Inc. (Nasdaq:VCLK), Conn's Inc. (Nasdaq:CONN) and Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ENER).

Clearwater Paper Corp. (Nasdaq:CLW), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI) and Kronos Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:KRO) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. (Nasdaq:GNK), RehabCare Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:RHB), AK Steel Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:AKS), Chart Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:GTLS), Rockwood Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:ROC) and Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN).

Dynamics Research Corp. (Nasdaq:DRCO), Badger Meter Inc. (Nasdaq:BMI) and Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: RightNow Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:RNOW), Cubic Corp (Nasdaq:CUB), EnerSys (Nasdaq:ENS), Horace Mann Educators Corp. (Nasdaq:HMN), MedCath Corp. (Nasdaq:MDTH) and Shutterfly Inc. (Nasdaq:SFLY).

Small caps pushed higher on the open, bolstered by a mild bounce in energy markets, . . .

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).

Lennar Corp. (Nasdaq:LEN), Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) and Life Time Fitness Inc. (Nasdaq:LTM) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Hadera Paper Ltd. (Nasdaq:AIP), Meritage Homes Corp. (Nasdaq:MTH), United Community Bancorp (Nasdaq:UCBA), American Woodmark Corp. (Nasdaq:AMWD), Student Loan Corp (Nasdaq:STU) and National Research Corp. (Nasdaq:NRCI).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks opened lower, but quickly trimmed losses as enthusiasm fueled by another round of global rate cuts helped soothe the sting of yet another sobering batch of economic reports.  Today’s small-cap gainers are inVentiv Health (Nasdaq:VTIV), Global Crossing (Nasdaq:GLBC) and Colonial Bankshares (Nasdaq:COBK).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The latest batch of monthly same-store sales reports are coming out could influence the retail sector in general throughout the day.
• The sobering weekly claims report that was released today shows that Americans aren’t just losing jobs, they are struggling to find new ones too.  
• At 9:51 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 0.74, or 3.83%, at 510.81.  
• The Bank of England stunned the market with a very aggressive rate cut of 150 basis points, pushing benchmark rates there to the lowest point in 53 years.
• The most numbing stat from this morning’s data was that the number of continuing claims rose 122,000 last week to 3.84 million, the highest level in more than 25 years. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• inVentiv Health Q3 profit declines; reaffirms FY08 revenue guidance. Shares are soaring 43%. See (Nasdaq:VTIV).  
• Shares of Global Crossing up over 18% as the company maintains outlook, sees Q3 sales rise 12%. See (Nasdaq:GLBC).  
• Colonial Bankshares up 18% on higher-than-average volume. See (Nasdaq:COBK).
• H&E Equipment Services Inc. jumped 14% on solid earnings news. See (Nasdaq:HEES).  
• Small-cap retailer Hot Topic reported same-stores sales rose 8.3% and raised guidance. Shares were up 8.6% this morning. See (Nasdaq:HOTT).

Small Cap Losers:

• Lakes Entertainment Inc. slumped 29%, plunging a day after earnings and also as a casino referendum in Ohio was defeated. See (Nasdaq:LACO).  
• Entertainment software company THQ posts big 2Q loss, plans 250 layoffs. Shares down 25% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:THQI).  
• Shares of Citi Trends down 9% in pre-market after the company announces Q3 sales. See (Nasdaq:CTRN).  
• Abercrombie & Fitch's Oct. comparable store sales decline 20%; shares trade over 7% lower in pre-market. See (NYSE:ANF).  

National Financial Partners Corp. (Nasdaq:NFP), H&E Equipment Services Inc.(Nasdaq:HEES) and Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (Nasdaq:PPC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN), Jos A Bank Clothiers Inc. (Nasdaq:JOSB), Tenneco Inc. (Nasdaq:TEN), Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (Nasdaq:MRX), and James River Coal Co. (Nasdaq:JRCC)

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Mexco Energy Corp. (Nasdaq:MXC), SemGroup Energy Partners LP (Nasdaq:SGLP) and Metalico Inc. (Nasdaq:MEA) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.   

Also included among the results: Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN), Info Group Inc. (Nasdaq:IUSA), Central Gold Trust (Nasdaq:GTU), Century Bancorp (Nasdaq:CNBKA), Pyramid Oil Co. (Nasdaq:PDO) and Union Drilling Inc. (Nasdaq:UDRL).        

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:    

A spike in crude combined with a depreciating dollar, financial sector woes and disconcerting economic data sunk small caps lower on the session midday.

At 12:12 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 5.98, or 0.82%, to 725.62, while the Dow had sold off 35.83, or 0.31%, to 11,381.60.

After stabilization within the $115 range, oil has broken out in a volatile spike, climbing almost $6 a barrel, as a weaker dollar and jitters that bubbling contention with Russia over its penetration of Georgia could disrupt oil deliveries. With oil's spike the market sold off further, as a rise in the commodity means greater inflation, crippled profits for businesses and usurped consumer spending power.

While oil climbed the greenback sold off against both the euro and the yen. “The U.S. dollar [has] tank[ed] on the soft data along with the rise in oil,” Andy Busch, foreign exchange strategist for BMO Capital Markets said in an email. “With a firm bottom in oil at $112 and continued focus on GSEs, the dollar has peaked.”

The financial sector has yet again brought the broader market down, as Citigroup slashed its earnings outlook for Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) and Lehman Brothers (NYSE:LEH). Fear of a collapse in government-sponsored enterprises Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) and Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) continue to enrapture equities, as the market speculates the government is near to bailing them out.

Lehman Brothers has sold off on reports from the Financial Times that Korean and Chinese investment groups have backed away from taking a stake in the embattled Wall Street brokerage/banking firm. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal is reporting today that the Federal Reserve is said to have called Credit Suisse in July to ascertain if it had indeed yanked a line of credit from Lehman Brothers in response to a rumor. If indeed the Fed did do this, its actions only serve to confirm the rampant fears in the market.

Citi Trends, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTRN) posted strong second-quarter results after Wednesday’s close that trumped the consensus on Wall Street. The retailer saw sales increase 19.5% and comparable stores sales increase 6.5% in the quarter, as stimulus checks and an improvement in gross margin on account of lower inventory levels and markdowns served to buoy results.

Shares gained 5%, or $0.95, to $19.40 in pre-market trading. For more detailed price information and stories on Citi Trends, click CTRN.

Small-cap stocks finished out an up and down session Wednesday with a mild profit after spending much of the day getting bounced around by turbulent price action in crude oil futures. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) eventually closed up 1.54, or 0.21%, at 731.60 and is now down 4.49% for the year. The Dow closed up 0.61%, while the S&P 500 was up 0.62%. The Dow is off 13.9% for the year, while the S&P 500 is down 13.2%.

The frenetic action in crude oil overshadowed a positive story in the tech arena following upbeat results by the world’s largest computer maker and shuffled big overnight gains in Asian stocks into the backdrop as well.

Crude oil prices plunged to a morning low at $112.61, as the weekly inventory report showed a surprising increase in stockpiles, but then the market reversed course as the energy traders were uneasy with Russia’s response to a missile deal between the United States and Poland, especially with tensions rising between the U.S. and Russia over the Georgian conflict. For the day, crude oil traded in a wildly wide range between $112.61 and $117.03 and closed up $0.45 at $114.98. Goldman Sachs analysts also reiterated their call for $149 crude oil prices by the end of the year, which probably won’t sit well with long-term equity market bulls if it pans out.

The U.S. dollar remained firm against the euro despite the afternoon surge in crude oil, and a strong tone in the greenback remains a potential positive for equities — reflecting global confidence in U.S. assets, even if some of that confidence is really more a lack of faith in other economies around the world. Elsewhere on the commodity inflation front, corn, soybeans and wheat shot higher and the Commodity Research Bureau Index of 19 key physical markets rose about 0.7%.

Although financial shares performed much better today than they fared Monday and Tuesday, it was hard to look past the dramatic free fall in government-sponsored enterprises (GSE), with Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) collapsing 25% and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) tumbling 21% as investors decided that a government bailout of the 1mortgage financing giants could crush current shareholder value. Both stocks were at their lowest levels in nearly two decades as everyone scrambled for the exit door at the same time. Despite the wipeout in GSEs, major bank stocks and many . . .

After swooning out of the gate, the Russell 2000 has pulled off its lows of the session, but still remains besieged in the red mid-session. A spike in unemployment claims, disconcerting July retail sales, an uptick in oil prices and gloomy results from insurance juggernaut American Insurance Group (NYSE:AIG) pushed small caps lower, while a better-than-expected pending home sales report served to taper losses.

At 12:41 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) had slipped 4.67, or 0.64% to 721.23, while the Dow has given back 94.93, or 0.81%, to 11,561.14.

The Labor Department reported this morning that the weekly claims report spiked to 455,000, marking the largest weekly figure since March 2002. Adding insult to injury, the number was substantially above the forecast of 420,000 and adds to the sobering picture of a weaker labor market. The continuing claims number rose to a fresh cycle high at 3.311 million, the highest level since December 2003.

“Continuing claims, which are inversely related to job creation, jumped this week to their highest level since December 2003,” Steven Wood, chief economist with Insight Economics, said in an email. “This is an indication that hiring has weakened.”

In other economic news, the National Association of Realtors reported this morning that pending home sales rose 5.3% to 89 from May’s reduced figure of 84.5. Economists were expecting the index to slide to 84.3. The rosier-than-anticipated report helped to pull stocks off their lows of the session. However, despite a gain during June, the number is still 12% lower than last year.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (Nasdaq:EBS), Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) and 51Job Inc. (Nasdaq:JOBS) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.      

Also included among the results: ExlService Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:EXLS), Micrus Endovascular Corp. (Nasdaq:MEND), Perficient Inc. (Nasdaq:PRFT), Reddy Ice Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:FRZ), Overhill Farms Inc. (Nasdaq:OFI) and Key Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:KTEC).       

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:   

Small-cap stocks opened lower, succumbing to a series of bad news events overnight, including massive quarterly losses at insurance firm American Insurance Group (NYSE:AIG), disappointing sales at discount giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT), a bounce in crude oil prices and sobering economic data on the jobs front. At 10:03 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 6.09, or 0.84% at 719.80.

The market was already on the defensive ahead of the weekly claims report this morning and when unemployment filings topped the forecast, it generated another leg down in futures ahead of the regular opening. Weekly claims were pegged at 455,000, which marked the largest weekly figure since March 2002. What’s more, the number was well above the forecast of 420,000 and simply adds another layer to ongoing concerns about the labor market. The continuing claims number rose to a fresh cycle high at 3.311 million. The Labor Department said that claims were goosed by a program to extend benefits, but it’s not exactly like the people who need an extension have found a job yet.

“Continuing claims, which are inversely related to job creation, jumped this week to their highest level since December 2003,” Steven Wood, chief economist with Insight Economics, said in an email. “This is an indication that hiring has weakened,” he said.

The pending home sales report, which came out at 10:00 a.m. ET, was up 5.3% and appeared to have limited impact on the market. Even with a gain during June, the number was still down 12% from last year...

Shares of Citi Trends, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) are sinking on high volume in pre-market trading after the value-priced retailer of urban fashion said after Wednesday’s close that comparable store sales edged down 1.9% in the month of July as sales softened towards the end of the second quarter. The retailer said sales for the second quarter increased 6.5% as a result of the government stimulus checks — a temporary propellant for consumer spending.

Citi Trends is forecasting earnings in a range of $0.15 to $0.18, compared with last year’s $0.04, as the retailer benefited from an improvement in gross margin due to lower merchandise markdowns and inventory shrinkage. The consensus on Wall Street is for earnings of $0.05 per share.

Shares slipped 13%, or $3.26, to $21.60 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Citi Trends, click CTRN.

Citi Trends (Nasdaq:CTRN), Hot Topic (Nasdaq:HOTT) and Royale Energy (Nasdaq:ROYL) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.        

Also included among the results: Hoku Scientific (Nasdaq:HOKU), Computer Task (Nasdaq:CTGX), Almost Family (Nasdaq:AFAM), Synta Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:SNTA), Commonwealth Bankshares (Nasdaq:CWBS) and ENGlobal (Nasdaq:ENG).       

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:  

Santander Bancorp (Nasdaq:SBP), Vivus Inc (Nasdaq:VVUS) and Perry Ellis International Inc (Nasdaq:PERY) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Yucheng Technologies Ltd (Nasdaq:YTEC), Citi Trends Inc (Nasdaq:CTRN) and Isramco Inc (Nasdaq:ISRL) are also among the biggest percentage gainers.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap shares pushed higher shortly after the opening, underpinned by decent earnings news and a lack of follow through on the safe-haven trade that dominated action Tuesday. At 10:01 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 3.32, or 0.45%, at 738.97.

The fact that stocks were able to look past yet another record high in crude oil prices was impressive, as most of the overnight news was tilted toward the bearish angle for equities. Crude oil prices climbed past $130 dollars a barrel, but it appeared that move had already been priced into the “fear” quotient during Tuesday’s decline.

In addition to the rally in crude oil, the U.S. dollar took a hit overnight, sinking about 0.7% versus the euro, and 0.3% against the yen. The greenback did appear to trim those losses when the stock market edged higher after the open.

The market has very much been tied to investment flows of late, and there is some thought that the market is underinvested in stocks with huge cash on the sideline. As that cash starts to chase the rally off the March lows, it could be enough to power the market higher, but it’s a tenuous play given strapped discretionary spending for consumers. Days of extremely light volume suggest that the sideline players . . .

Shares of Citi Trends, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTRN) are trending downwards in after-hours trading this evening after the fashion retailer cut its earnings outlook for the year below the Street’s consensus and reported that second-quarter earnings fell from year-ago levels to miss estimates by a penny.

The Savannah, Ga.-based company is lowering its estimate for 2007 earnings to a range of $1.40 to $1.44 per share from an originally forecasted range of $1.73 to $1.77 a share. The new guidance also falls below the consensus of seven analysts polled by Thomson Financial of earnings of $1.51 per share.

Citi Trends’ management attributes the downwardly revised guidance to comparable store sales increase of 3% to 4% on a comparable week basis and flat on a fiscal basis.

For the second quarter ended August 4, the company reported net income decreased to $0.62 million, or $0.04 a share, and a penny below the $0.05 seven analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting. For the second quarter last year, Citi Trends recorded net income of $1.3 million, or $0.09 per share.

Total net sales increased 26.9% to $96.8 million, right in line with the average of five analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial. The current quarter’s revenues compare with $76.3 million in the second quarter of 2006.

Comparable store sales increased 3.4% on a comparable store, comparable week basis.

Shares of Citi Trends fell $1.84, or 7.72%, to $22.00 in after-hours trading.

Shares of Citi Trends, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTRN) trended down today after the retailer of urban fashion apparel and accessories reported preliminary second quarter guidance below expectations. Adding to investors’ glum, Both First Albany Capital and Avondale Partners downgraded the company today as well.

Citi Trends today said earnings in the three months ended August 4 would amount to $0.02 to $0.05 per share, compared with a Wall Street consensus of $0.15. The company cited higher-than-anticipated expenses and lower margins for the quarter.

While management did not downwardly revise guidance of EPS of $1.64 to $1.68 for the fiscal year, First Albany Capital analyst Paula Kalandiak said he expects Citi Trends’ management to guide down for fiscal year 2007 on the company’s conference call on August 29. 

Kalandiak today downgraded Citi Trends to a rating of “neutral” from “buy” in response to the company’s disappointing second quarter guidance. “Based on new guidance, 2Q:07 will be the company's second consecutive quarter of declining year over year earnings,” wrote Kalandiak in a research note. “We are taking a cautious approach until we see signs of improvement.”

Citi Trends also reported relatively upbeat second-quarter sales today. The company said second quarter sales increased 27% year-over-year to $96.8 million, clocking in slightly above the consensus on the Street of $96.4 million. The sales for the most recent period compare with sales in the second quarter last year of $76.33 million.

The Russell 2000 and the other major U.S. indices are up following news of better-than-expected retail sales in May. At 11:27 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 had gained 4.29 points, or 0.52%, to 826.01. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 61.18 points, or 0.46%, to 13,356.19.

Urban fashion apparel retailer Citi Trends, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTRN) has priced an underwritten secondary public offering of 2,135,000 shares of its common stock at $37.92 per share. All of the shares will be sold by shareholders, which means that Citi Trends will not receive any of the proceeds, the Savannah, Geo.-based company announced before the opening bell. Its stock is up $1.37, or 4%, to $39.29.

Shares of Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: HRAY) are rising on news after Thursday’s close that the Chinese provider of music and music-related products reported an increase in profit.  The net income for the first quarter ended March 31 was $1.0 million, a rise of 3.8% compared with $0.9 million for the first quarter of 2006.  Earnings stayed constant at $0.04 per share, just above analyst expectations of $0.03 per share.  The stock is up $0.02, or 0.41%, to $4.85.

Shares of Lancaster, Pa.-based Sterling Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: SLFI) announced after Thursday’s close that an ongoing investigation has shown that previously reported irregularities in certain financing contracts in one of Sterling’s financial services affiliates are a direct result of collusion by company employees.  Shares have added $0.80, or 5%, to $16.16.