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Tag - DIN

 

 
Claire Caldwell

Orbital Sciences, Hampton Roads Bankshares and Hawaiian Holdings lead small-cap percentage losers

Orbital Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq:ORB), Hampton Roads Bankshares Inc. (Nasdaq:HMPR) and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:HA) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN), Manitowoc Co Inc. (Nasdaq:MTW), CenterState Banks Inc. (Nasdaq:CSFL), Tenneco Inc. (Nasdaq:TEN), Phase Forward Inc. (Nasdaq:PFWD) and Meritage Homes Corp. (Nasdaq:MTH).
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Claire Caldwell

Deluxe, DineEquity and Kohlberg Capital lead small-cap percentage gainers

Deluxe Corp. (Nasdaq:DLX), DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN) and Kohlberg Capital Corp. (Nasdaq:KCAP) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Hi-Tech Pharmacal Inc. (Nasdaq:HITK), Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:RIGL), ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (Nasdaq:ATPG), Greenbrier Companies Inc. (Nasdaq:GBX), Investors Title Co. (Nasdaq:ITIC) and Oriental Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:OFG).
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Claire Caldwell

Zion Oil and Gas, Astoria Financial and Hanesbrands lead small-cap percentage gainers

Zion Oil and Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:ZN), Astoria Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:AF) and Hanesbrands Inc. (Nasdaq:HBI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Cogent Communications Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CCOI), DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN), Greif Inc. (Nasdaq:GEF), ACI Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:ACIW), Willbros Group Inc. (Nasdaq:WG) and Western Alliance Bancorp (Nasdaq:WAL).
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Claire Caldwell

DineEquity, EPIQ Systems and comScore lead small-cap percentage gainers

DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN), EPIQ Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:EPIQ) and comScore Inc. (Nasdaq:SCOR) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Dolan Media Co. (Nasdaq:DM), Chart Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:GTLS), Sturm Ruger & Co Inc. (Nasdaq:RGR), 012 Smile Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq:SMLC), Susser Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:SUSS) and Dycom Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:DY).
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Claire Caldwell

ICT Group, SI Financial Group and Omniture lead small-cap percentage gainers

ICT Group Inc (Nasdaq:ICTG), SI Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:SIFI) and Omniture Inc (Nasdaq:OMTR) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AnnTaylor Stores Corp (Nasdaq:ANN), Volt Information Sciences Inc (Nasdaq:VOL), Westwood Holdings Group Inc (Nasdaq:WHG), Signet Jewelers (Nasdaq:SIG), Brooks Automation Inc (Nasdaq:BRKS) and DineEquity Inc (Nasdaq:DIN).
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Claire Caldwell

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Hansen Medical and American Oriental Bioengineering lead small-cap percentage losers

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. (Nasdaq:ULTA), Hansen Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:HNSN) and American Oriental Bioengineering Inc. (Nasdaq:AOB) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Zion Oil and Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:ZN), Chemgenex Pharm Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:CXSP), IRIS International Inc. (Nasdaq:IRIS), HSN Inc. (Nasdaq:HSNI), DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN) and Delta Petroleum Corp. (Nasdaq:DPTR).
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SCI Microbloggers

Russell closes up 5%; BBX, DIN and DKS lead gainers

Today marked the third time in four days that stock market investors chose to dismiss dreary economic data as a non-event, and this time around they did it on the biggest report of them all – the monthly Labor Department report on employment. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up nearly 5%. Some of today's small-cap gainers included BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE:BBX), DineEquity (NYSE:DIN) and . . .
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Kevin Pendley

Dramatic rally reverses jobs slide

Small-cap stocks took flight Friday, setting aside a historically bleak employment report amid hope that all those gloomy numbers are already priced into the market. If true, then bargain-hunters are snatching up equities relatively close to the lows, getting ahead of the curve on an impending turnaround in the global economic scene. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 21.56, or 4.91%, at 461.09, reversing course on a morning rout that saw small caps down 3.5% at the worst point of the day. For the year, the Russell is now down 40%, while the Dow is off 35% and the S&P 500 is down 40%.

This marked the third time in four days that stock market investors chose to dismiss dreary economic data as a non-event, and this time around they did it on the biggest report of them all – the monthly Labor Department report on employment. Looking at the guts of the jobs report, it’s not that easy to dive into stocks with abandon. Here are some ready-made frightening headlines from the report:

* Largest one-month drop in payrolls since December 1974
* Highest unemployment rate in 13 years
* Fifth largest monthly decline in jobs in history

What’s more, it is widely expected that the jobs picture will get worse – not better – over the next couple of months. So, why did the stock market treat all this bad news as a buying opportunity? Because there is a wide-spread belief that the market has already priced in all of these dreadful economic reports and that upside potential . . .
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Claire Caldwell

Versant, Indiana Community and Young Innovations lead small-cap percentage gainers

Versant Corp. (Nasdaq:VSNT), Indiana Community Bancorp (Nasdaq:INCB) and Young Innovations Inc. (Nasdaq:YDNT) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN), Capitol Bancorp Ltd (Nasdaq:CBC), TechTarget Inc. (Nasdaq:TTGT), Max Capital Group Ltd. (Nasdaq:MXGL), Zep Inc. (Nasdaq:ZEP) and Breeze Eastern Corporation (Nasdaq:BZC).
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Claire Caldwell

Collective Brands, Insulet and DineEquity lead small-cap percentage gainers

Collective Brands Inc (Nasdaq:PSS), Insulet Corp (Nasdaq:PODD) and DineEquity Inc (Nasdaq:DIN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Duff & Phelps Corp (Nasdaq:DUF), YRC Worldwide Inc (Nasdaq:YRCW), W.R. Grace & Co (Nasdaq:GRA), Brown Shoe Company Inc (Nasdaq:BWS), Crescent Banking Co (Nasdaq:CSNT) and OfficeMax Inc (Nasdaq:OMX).




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SCI Microbloggers

Small caps soar 7.6% at close; DIN, SYUT and QELP lead gainers

Even though the market is still hammered for the year, today’s rally was a significant rise for the stock market, small caps included. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) rallied 7.6% for the second-largest one-day gain of the year. Today’s small-cap gainers are Dineequity (Nasdaq:DIN), Synutra International (Nasdaq:SYUT) and Quest Energy Partners (Nasdaq:QELP).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The Conference Board reported today that consumer confidence plunged to 41-year lows. With two-thirds of the U.S. economy driven by consumer spending, a retrenched mood into peak holiday season purchasing activity is a troubling sign.
• Some of the renewed faith in the market on Tuesday could very well be tied to optimism ahead of the Federal Reserve’s announcement on interest rates Wednesday afternoon. 
• Inter-bank rates slipped again overnight for the twelfth straight trading day, which many hope is a sign that things are getting better in the ongoing credit crisis.
• The only areas of pronounced weakness today were household appliances, building products, health care facilities and homebuilders.
• Energy stocks were a clear source of strength for the stock market today, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund jumping some 9%. 
• Despite the rise in energy shares, crude oil prices were skittish to join the buying party and closed down about $0.50 a barrel. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Dineequity Inc. soared some 81% and has now charged some 192% off the lows from Monday. See (NYSE:DIN). 
• Synutra International, Inc. closed up 51% on light volume. See (Nasdaq:SYUT). 
• Quest Energy Partners declares cash distribution for Q3 2008. Stock price closed up 27.5%. See (Nasdaq:QELP). 
• Shares of ARM Holdings closed up 29% after the tech company reported . . .

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Kevin Pendley

Small caps soar as bargain-hunters load up before FOMC

Small-cap stocks pushed sharply higher Tuesday, snapping a string of five consecutive losing sessions as investors nibbled on beaten stocks for bargains, while still favoring large companies amid concerns about the economy and a fragile consumer psyche. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) rallied 34.15, or 7.62%, to 482.55 for the second-largest one-day gain of the year and is now down 37% for 2008, while the Dow is off 32% and the S&P 500 down 36%.

Even though the market is still hammered for the year, today’s rally was a significant rise for the stock market, small caps included. The Russell slipped to fresh move lows this morning and seemingly had no safety net in sight for another 12 handles and then to make matters worse the Conference Board reported that consumer confidence plunged to 41-year lows. With two-thirds of the U.S. economy driven by consumer spending, a retrenched mood into peak holiday season purchasing activity is a troubling sign. But the Russell overcame those concerns, rejected new move lows and closed in higher territory, which is a solid bullish reversal signal.

Some of the renewed faith in the market could very well be tied to optimism ahead of the Federal Reserve’s announcement on interest rates Wednesday afternoon. Fed leaders began a two-day meeting today and will announce a rate cut Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. ET, which should create even cheaper money for those firms with access to the Fed’s discount and Fed funds windows and hopefully move the market closer to unclogging credit lines. Along that line of thought, inter-bank rates slipped again overnight for the twelfth straight trading day, which many hope is a sign that things are getting better in the ongoing credit crisis.

Another source of bullish inspiration likely stemmed from a rise in global equities overnight, just a day after a severe selling frenzy pushed Japan markets to 26-year lows and deepened the slide in other markets around the globe. Of course, . . .

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SCI Microbloggers

Russell dives nearly 5% at closing; DIN, PENN and RVBD lead gainers

Small caps collapsed today, setting fresh intraday and closing lows. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed down 5%, the lowest daily close since Aug. 2003. Today’s small-cap gainers are Dineequity (Nasdaq:DIN), Penn National Gaming (Nasdaq:PENN) and Riverbed Technology (Nasdaq:RVBD).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Small caps continue to be punished relative to their large-cap brethren as the bear market incites a “bigger is better” mentality.
• The Russell 2000 is now down 41% for 2008, while the Dow is off 38% and the S&P 500 is down 42%.
• Just a few weeks ago, the percentage spread favored the Russell over the Dow by more than 10 percentage points, but when the market went into collapse mode small caps suffered.
• The dollar stormed to fresh highs against the euro today, reaching the highest point since April 2006.
• Commodities have already been tanking in recent weeks, putting commodity sensitive economies like those in South America and Russia in a dire position. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Dineequity Inc. closed up 54% on surprisingly stout earnings news. See (NYSE:DIN).
• Penn National Gaming closed up nearly 5% after Q3 EPS vaulted on settlement payment, raises 2008 earnings guidance. See (Nasdaq:PENN). 
• UBS raises Riverbed Technology to “neutral” from “sell.” Shares closed up 5%. See (Nasdaq:RVBD). 

Small Cap Losers:

• Savient Pharmaceuticals paced the decliners, closing down some 73% and gapping lower on heavy volume. See (Nasdaq:SVNT). 
• Sunrise Senior Living Inc. tumbled 32% to fresh 52-week lows. See (NYSE:SRZ).
• Telefonica De Argentina closed down 22% as South American ADRs continue to struggle amid pension fund troubles in Argentina and worries about the sharp drop in commodity values. See (NYSE:TAR). 

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Kevin Pendley

Small caps tumble to fresh bear market lows despite housing surprise

Small-cap stocks extended the bear market collapse on Monday, setting fresh intraday and closing lows for the move as investor fear of risk amid a global meltdown took a toll on smaller companies. A positive surprise on new home sales helped take some of the edge off the bearish tone, but it wasn’t enough to douse a late flash of selling fire in the small-cap universe. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed down 22.72, or 4.82%, at 448.40, the lowest daily close since August 2003.

Small caps continue to be punished relative to their large-cap brethren as the bear market incites a “bigger is better” mentality among the few speculators willing to take on equity risk at this stage of the economic cycle. The Russell 2000 is now down 41% for 2008, while the Dow is off 38% and the S&P 500 is down 42%. Just a few weeks ago, the percentage spread favored the Russell over the Dow by more than 10 percentage points, but when the market went into collapse mode small caps suffered on a perception that they represent even riskier fare than big corporations.

Along that line of thought, it makes sense that when the market does find a bottom, it will probably take place first in the large-cap universe, then small caps will likely once again start to outperform on the way back up, just like they did once the market pulled out of the 2000 through 2001 economic recession. From a chart perspective, there are still no signs of a bottom in the Russell 2000, but it’s worth noting that even though small caps are at new move lows, the Dow and S&P 500 are still above the Oct. 10 trough (although the late collapse Monday put the S&P 500 on the doorstep of that low). There is also a powerful seasonal for major lows to be set in the month of October, and there are theories sprouting that once the month-end redemptions play out this final week of the month that bargain-hunters will be prominent . . .

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Wyatt Research Staff

DineEquity, HSN and Motorcar Parts of America lead small-cap percentage gainers

DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN), HSN Inc. (Nasdaq:HSNI) and Motorcar Parts of America Inc. (Nasdaq:MPAA) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Investors Title Co. (Nasdaq:ITIC), Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp. (Nasdaq:MNRTA), Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. (Nasdaq:ODFL), Riverbed Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:RVBD), Coleman Cable Inc. (Nasdaq:CCIX) and Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq:BSRR).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:
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Kevin Pendley

Recession fears counter home sales data as small caps still in red

Small-cap stocks retained modest losses into midday trading, unable to join large-cap indices in positive territory as worries about a global recession and slumping corporate profits continue to spark flight out of equities. An upside surprise on new home sales helped put some enthusiasm back into things, but it wasn’t enough to generate a complete turnabout in choppy trading. At 12:36 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 5.07, or 1.08% at 466.05.

Technology shares continued to lag the Dow and S&P 500, but not to the same extent as the Russell 2000. Tech stocks were weighed down by concerns about spending for technology in a growth-challenged global environment and by reports of loans for technology coming into default problems. Tech bellwether Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:MSFT) was down 3.2% and was one of the bigger drags on large caps.

Commodity stocks were also on wobbly footing so far today, pressured by a soaring U.S. dollar and by fears that a slowdown would crimp demand for physical goods, especially if China begins to see dramatic slowing. Crude oil prices tumbled to a 17-month low earlier today but trimmed losses as the equity market in the U.S. stabilized without too much downside probing.

Looking at broad sector activity today, insurance companies, tire and rubber stocks, coal, investment banks, office electronics, home furnishings, steel and oil exploration shares were among the worst performers. On the upside, agriculture products, regional banks, education services, telecoms, general merchandise and department stores were the top draws.

Looking at individual small caps of note, Calgon Carbon Corp. (NYSE:CCC) was down 24%, sinking to fresh 52-week lows. Telefonica De Argentina (NYSE:TAR) was off 26% as South American ADRs continue to struggle amid pension fund troubles in Argentina and worries about the sharp drop in commodity values. On . . .

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SCI Microbloggers

Stocks remain lower; PSEC, UBSH and VOXX lead gainers

Small-cap stocks remained sharply lower into midday, down 4.05% and unable to sustain a morning rally for the third consecutive day. Market Watch highlights so far today include:

• When President Bush spoke this morning, small caps were off about 1.2% and the Dow was down about 80 points. The President made a surprisingly quick prepared remark, took no questions, and the began falling hard … within an hour after his appearance the Dow was down more than 350 points and small caps were off 4%.
• After multi-year highs a few months ago, cattle/hog prices are down on fears that meat consumption will suffer in a global recession.
• Gold/silver stocks and oil/energy stocks are the weakest sectors in today's trading. Footwear and retail home improvement are up fractionally. Gold is currently off 10%.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Audiovox (Nasdaq:VOXX) swings to Q2 loss. Shares of the electronic products distributor shoot up 16%.
• Union Bankshares (Nasdaq:UBSH) upgraded by Robert W. Baird; shares surge 17%.
• Stifel Nicolaus initiates coverage on Umpqua Holdings (Nasdaq:UMPQ) with a “hold” rating. Shares jump 21%.
• Airline small-cap UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) announced Thursday it will lay off 414 mechanics; stock is currently up 8.4%.
• Private equity firm Prospect Capital (Nasdaq:PSEC) to repurchase up . . .

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Kevin Pendley

Russell collapses as financials, commodities go into tailspin

Small-cap stocks fell hard Tuesday, completely wiping out Monday’s GSE-takeover advance as investors fretted about the overall state of financial companies. In addition, money also flowed out of homebuilding stocks and commodity names as traders searched for a safe-haven in credit markets. In the end, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) shed 25.57, or 3.49%, to 707.29, notching the largest one-day decline of the year by the time the dust settled. The small-cap benchmark is now down 7.6% for the year.

Although losses in the Dow today were less extreme than in the Russell 2000, sellers still were in control, with the Dow off 2.43% for the day, and down 15.3% on the year. Over in the S&P 500, the market tumbled 3.41% today and is off 16.6% for 2008.

“The GSE takeover was basically a band-aid on a gaping wound,” James Comiskey, senior market strategist with Lind-Waldock, said in a phone interview. When the Lehman meltdown took place this morning, it showed that there are systemic risks in the financial system that go beyond just bailing out mortgage underwriters. And it also brings up the question of just how many times the government can try to rescue these firms that are bleeding money from terrible business decisions, Comiskey said.

The “Lehman meltdown” Comiskey referred to was Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LEH), which collapsed 44% today amid fears that the firm was hitting a wall in raising capital to shore up losses tied to the mortgage/credit crisis. As LEH shares plummeted, Standard & Poors rating agency said it may slice Lehman’s credit rating. The rout in LEH shares simply stoked selling throughout the financial arena, with the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund sinking 6.3%. “When the banks are throwing knives in each other’s backs, things are bloody. It makes the GSE takeover . . .

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Wyatt Research Staff

DineEquity, C&D Technologies and Stream Global Services lead small-cap percentage losers

DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN), C&D Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:CHP) and Stream Global Services Inc. (Nasdaq:OOO) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: EnerNOC Inc. (Nasdaq:ENOC), Dreman/Claymore Dividend & Income Fund (Nasdaq:DCS), Pep Boys-Manny Moe & Jack (Nasdaq:PBY), MAG Silver Corp (Nasdaq:MVG), Britannia Bulk Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:DWT) and Rubicon Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:RBCN).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:
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Jennifer Schonberger

Sciele Pharma, International Shipholding and West Marine lead small-cap percentage gainers

Sciele Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq:SCRX), International Shipholding Corp. (Nasdaq:ISH) and West Marine Inc. (Nasdaq:WMAR) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Union Drilling Inc. (Nasdaq:UDRL), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), PacWest Bancorp (Nasdaq:PACW), Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. (Nasdaq:CTB), DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN) and Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. (Nasdaq:BAGL).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

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Jennifer Schonberger

Avanex, Physicians Formula Holdings and Koss among 52-week lows

Avanex Corp. (Nasdaq:AVNXD), Physicians Formula Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:FACE) and Koss Corp. (Nasdaq:KOSS) are among the new 52-week lows in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

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

First Horizon National, ATMI and Endwave lead small-cap percentage losers

First Horizon National Corp (Nasdaq:FHN), ATMI Inc (Nasdaq:ATMI) and Endwave Corp (Nasdaq:ENWV) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: American Independence Corp (Nasdaq:AMIC), Maguire Properties Inc (Nasdaq:MPG), FCStone Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCSX), Anaren Inc (Nasdaq:ANEN), Pyramid Oil Co (Nasdaq:PDO) and DineEquity Inc (Nasdaq:DIN).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:
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Kevin Pendley

Heroic comeback as GSEs bounce off lows

Small-cap stocks led an afternoon recovery charge in the stock market, grabbing a budding bid and running with it when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke confirmed talk that government-sponsored mortgage firms would qualify for cheap money through the Fed’s discount window. The comeback push was impressive given a huge rally in crude oil futures to record highs above $147 dollars a barrel. In the end, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 4.51, or 0.67%, at 674.95.

It was a roller coaster session for stocks, with a morning downside rout triggered by steep losses in mortgage lending giants Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE), which ignited another bout of fear tied to the credit crunch and the slumping housing market. There was talk in the morning that the GSEs were on the cusp of insolvency and shares in both agencies were down nearly 50% as investors bailed out. However, by the end of the day, FNM pared losses down to the 20% range, and FRE to the 7% zone — still nothing to dismiss — but far more palatable to investors worried about systemic issues. Volume on FNM and FRE was humongous to say the least, and individual stocks often carve out major tops or bottoms in conjunction with volume spikes.

“The key significance of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the current economic climate is their ability to soften the impact of the credit crunch,” Goldman Sachs analysts said in an email earlier today. The Goldman research note even predicted ahead of time that the Fed would extend outright credit support to GSEs. The notion that bringing the GSEs onto the Federal balance sheet would “raise government debt by $5.3 trillion” and thereby sharply worsen the U.S. government’s creditworthiness was misleading, Goldman said. “The $5.3 trillion refers to the GSE’s holdings of mortgages and loan guarantees, which is not at all the same thing as outright liabilities. The government would have to cover any GSE losses, but this would be a much, much smaller number under any reasonable set of assumptions,” Goldman analyst Jan Hatzius wrote.

Small-cap stocks were noticeably strong relative to large-cap index products, a theme that has been in play for the last few weeks. Even though the Dow is at two-year lows, and the S&P 500 slumped to near two-year lows today as well, . . .

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Will Atkinson

DineEquity, GSI Group and Norwood Financial among 52-week lows

DineEquity Inc (Nasdaq:DIN), GSI Group Inc (Nasdaq:GSIG) and Norwood Financial Corp (Nasdaq:NWFL) are among the new 52-week lows in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Gateway Financial Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:GBTS), Webster Financial Corp (Nasdaq:WBS), Continental Airlines Inc (Nasdaq:CAL), Alaska Air Group Inc (Nasdaq:ALK), BGC Partners Inc (Nasdaq:BGCP) and LSB Corp (Nasdaq:LSBX).

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

Small caps fall on Fannie and Freddie troubles, rising oil

Small-cap stocks plunged shortly after Friday’s opening, showed resilience during the first hour of trading but have exhibited a downward trend in afternoon trading. The uncertainty surrounding Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) combined with record-high crude oil prices have spurred a sell-off today. At 2:17 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 2.07, or 0.31%, at 668.37.

Investors responded tepidly to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s short statement that the U.S. government is committed to “supporting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in their current form as they carry out their important mission.”

Fannie Mae has fallen some 24% this afternoon, and similar losses were pinned on Freddie Mac on high volume. Selling fury was fueled overnight by an article in the New York Times suggesting the government was considering a takeover of the embattled mortgage lending giants as the housing slump and credit crisis wallop the firms.

The freefall in federally chartered corporations, or GSEs, spilled over to the rest of the financial sector, with large caps such as Wachovia Corp. (NYSE:WB) down 9%, Merrill Lynch down 5% and Lehman Bros. (NYSE:LEH) off 15% in afternoon trading.

“Retail and credit issues sparked selling Thursday and remain a concern today. Volatility is high right now,” Nick Kalivas, vice president of financial research with MF Global, told SmallCapInvestor.com in an email interview. “I think FNM and FRE are vulnerable to further losses, but the market is thinking that the government will aid the GSEs in some way and keep the financial system whole.”

Small caps were able to outperform large caps during Thursday’s bounce, but Kalivas said the move was powered more by a recovery in oil and natural gas that sparked money pouring back into small-cap energy firms. “I think it is more a beta trade or a sector trade than a sign of the market’s overall health. I’m not reading . . .

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Will Atkinson

Community Valley Bancorp, Pzena Investment Management and DineEquity lead small-cap percentage losers

Community Valley Bancorp (CA) (Nasdaq:CVLL), Pzena Investment Management Inc (Nasdaq:PZN) and DineEquity Inc (Nasdaq:DIN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Gateway Financial Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:GBTS), Webster Financial Corp (Nasdaq:WBS), Alaska Air Group Inc (Nasdaq:ALK), FCStone Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCSX), Pacific Sunwear of California Inc (Nasdaq:PSUN) and Continental Airlines Inc (Nasdaq:CAL).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:
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