Tag - KNXA

Cadiz Inc. (Nasdaq:CDZI), Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (Nasdaq:JTX) and Palomar Medical Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:PMTI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: American Woodmark Corp. (Nasdaq:AMWD), Greene County Bancorp (Nasdaq:GCBC), Kenexa Corp. (Nasdaq:KNXA), MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:MOFG) and Zoltek Companies Inc. (Nasdaq:ZOLT).

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (Nasdaq:AGM), STEC Inc. (Nasdaq:STEC) and O'Charley's Inc. (Nasdaq:CHUX) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Winn Dixie Stores Inc. (Nasdaq:WINN), Nelnet Inc. (Nasdaq:NNI), Kenexa Corp. (Nasdaq:KNXA), RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp. (Nasdaq:RXII), Insight Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq:NSIT) and Consolidated Water Co. Ltd (Nasdaq:CWCO).

NN Inc. (Nasdaq:NNBR), TNS Inc. (Nasdaq:TNS) and Sauer Danfoss Inc. (Nasdaq:SHS) are among the new 52-week lows in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI), Ohio Valley Banc Corp. (Nasdaq:OVBC), Kenexa Corp. (Nasdaq:KNXA), Eagle Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:EGBN), Orient Express Hotels Ltd. (Nasdaq:OEH) and Bridge Capital Holdings (Nasdaq:BBNK).

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

Small-cap stocks extended the morning rally into midday action, boosted by gains in commodity and financial stocks and some relief that the end was in sight for the political uncertainty surrounding elections in the United States. Today’s small-cap gainers are Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SB), Carrizo Oil and Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:CRZO) and Silver Standard Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:SSRI).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Big commodity gainers today are gold, copper and corn,
• Commodity stocks in general were lifted today by a sizable drop in the U.S. dollar, which tumbled some 2.8% against the euro, making goods priced in dollars more attractive.
•  The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund was up 6% and crude oil prices shot 8% higher on reports that Saudi Arabia slashed output.  
• Commodity shares were on a roll today, with agriculture products, metal and mining stacks, coal and gold all seeing sizable gains.  
• Although the market initially pulled back on the dreary factory orders report, the rally quickly resumed and stretched out through mid-session.  

Small Cap Gainers:

• Safe Bulkers Inc. continued to be a hot stock as the marine transporter jumped 31% after being one of the biggest small-cap movers on Monday. See (NYSE:SB).  
• Carrizo Oil and Gas Inc. rallied 22% on news of a joint venture to pursue growth in Marcellus Shale. See (Nasdaq:CRZO).  
• Silver Standard Resources Inc. jumped 21% along with the resurgence in commodities. See (Nasdaq:SSRI).  
• Bruker Corp. is up 16% after reporting Q3 results on Monday. See (Nasdaq:BRKR).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Animal Health International Inc. gapped lower and tumbled 57% on unusually heavy volume amid earnings news. See (Nasdaq:ANII).  
• Kenexa Corp. down 28% as the employment search firm reported earnings, CEO says that the “business environment deteriorated” toward end of quarter with difficult economic climate. See (Nasdaq:KNXA).  
• Herbalife tops with Q3 EPS but misses with sales and guides below Street; shares down 16% in pre-market. See (NYSE:HLF).  
• Coldwater Creek falls 6% in after hours. Expects Q3 loss, pulls Q4 guidance. See (Nasdaq:CWTR).

NN Inc. (Nasdaq:NNBR), Graham Corp. (Nasdaq:GHM) and TNS Inc. (Nasdaq:TNS) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: iPCS Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCS), Sauer Danfoss Inc. (Nasdaq:SHS), Kenexa Corp. (Nasdaq:KNXA), Sun Hydraulics Corp. (Nasdaq:SNHY), Orient Express Hotels Ltd. (Nasdaq:OEH) and Headwaters Inc. (Nasdaq:HW).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening, but gains were short of expectations built on pre-market futures activity. Support was tied to further declines in lending rates and advances in overseas equities, but the focus today was clearly on the elections underway in the United States. Today’s small-cap gainers are Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SB), Bruker Corp. (Nasdaq:BRKR) and ReneSola (Nasdaq:SOLA).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• With a little more than 70% of the S&P 500 reporting results so far, profits have been down about 10%, which is slightly below expectations.
• Bank stocks were strong performers in Europe thanks to the lower lending rates, and U.S. banks were also in rally mode this morning.   Nov 04, 2008 10:07am
• Libor rates are now down more than 2% from the peak seen in the credit crisis when banks were so mistrustful that they weren’t even lending to each other.  
• On the inter-bank lending front, three-month Libor rates tumbled to a five-month low and are now below the levels in place before the stock market collapse in September.  
• The factory orders report came out at minus 2.5%, which was below the forecast for a decline of 1.5%. Market noticeably trimmed gains afterward.  

Small Cap Gainers:

• Safe Bulkers Inc. continued to be a hot stock as the marine transporter jumped 31% after being one of the biggest small-cap movers on Monday. See (NYSE:SB).  
• Bruker Corp. is up 16% after reporting Q3 results on Monday. See (Nasdaq:BRKR).  
• ReneSola updates production capacity plans, shares trading 8.5% higher on unusual volume. See (Nasdaq:SOLA).  
• Simcere Pharmaceutical Group up 10% on light volume. See (NYSE:SCR).

Small Cap Losers:

• Kenexa Corp. down 28% as the employment search firm reported earnings, CEO says that the “business environment deteriorated” toward end of quarter with difficult economic climate. See (Nasdaq:KNXA).
• Herbalife tops with Q3 EPS but misses with sales and guides below Street; shares down 16% in pre-market. See (NYSE:HLF).  
• EDF unit completes Eagle Energy Partners acquisition; shares of Energy Partners careen 15%. See (NYSE:EPL).
• Coldwater Creek falls 6% in after hours. Expects Q3 loss, pulls Q4 guidance. See (Nasdaq:CWTR).  

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening, but gains were short of expectations built on pre-market futures activity. Support was tied to further declines in lending rates and advances in overseas equities, but the focus today was clearly on the elections underway in the United States. At 10:01 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 0.82, or 0.15% at 539.32.

The factory orders report came out at minus 2.5%, which was below the forecast for a decline of 1.5%. The market noticeably trimmed away gains after the report.

Even with the market in rally mode early today, the spotlight will likely be on the exit poll reports as American voters close out the presidential election campaign. Barack Obama is widely reported as holding a comfortable lead into today’s vote, but market watchers are also closely watching the House and Senate seats that are up for a vote to see if the Democrats will mount a big power shift. In addition, traders are debating the potential impact of an Obama stimulus package.

On the inter-bank lending front, three-month Libor rates tumbled to a five-month low and are now below the levels in place before the stock market collapse in September. In addition, three-month Euribor rates hit a seven-month low. Libor rates are now down more than 2% from the peak seen in the credit crisis when banks were . . .

Kenexa Corp. (Nasdaq:KNXA), InterDigital Inc. (Nasdaq:IDCC) and US Global Investors Inc. (Nasdaq:GROW) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Eagle Rock Energy Partners L.P (Nasdaq:EROC), Sunrise Senior Living Inc. (Nasdaq:SRZ), Internet Initiative Japan Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:IIJI), WNS Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:WNS), MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MAPP) and MAXXAM Inc. (Nasdaq:MXM).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks plunged on the opening, pulled down by worries about the credit crisis, which are taking a toll on financial stocks. A fresh batch of economic data this morning did nothing to ease the pain as the labor market continues to struggle against a backdrop of worry about global growth slowing. At 9:52 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 15.27, or 2.13%, at 701.90.

Financial shares have continually been dogged by the credit crunch over the last year, and as soon as things seem to cool down on that front, a new crisis emerges. The latest poster child for the debt debacle is Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LEH), as the firm appears to be getting snowballed under losses, is struggling to raise capital via finding investors and has seen its debt swaps widen dramatically, which makes it more difficult to fund borrowing efforts. LEH debt is now trading near distressed levels and the stock was off a whopping 38% shortly after the opening, trading near $4.30, a far cry from the $66 level it was trading at back in February. Another firm reeling from the mortgage-tied credit crisis is Washington Mutual Inc. (NYSE:WM), which was off 21% early today. Also, American International Group Inc. (NYSE:AIG) was down 12%, as was Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MER).

On the data front this morning, the weekly unemployment claims release came in at 445,000, which was above the consensus forecast of 438,000. Perhaps more importantly than the headline figure was the continuing claims number, which was 3.52 million, near a 5-year peak. At the same time that the claims number came out, data on international trade showed a jump in the U.S. trade deficit to $62.2 billion, well above the forecast for a deficit of $58 billion. The dreary data simply added to an already bleak morning picture for equities. Even before this morning’s claims report, analysts at Goldman Sachs said earlier this week that the slumping U.S. labor market reflected an economy that was in recession, regardless of how the “official” . . .

Lululemon Athletica Inc. (Nasdaq:LULU), Evergreen Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:ESLR) and Globecomm Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:GCOM) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Umpqua Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:UMPQ), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Kenexa Corp. (Nasdaq:KNXA), Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq:GILT).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Shares of Kenexa (Nasdaq: KNXA) are tumbling after the global provider of software and services used to recruit and retain employees lowered its third-quarter and full-year guidance after Wednesday’s close. The company noted that the macroeconomic environment coupled with a strengthening dollar is weighing on operations, as international operations are the fastest growing segment of Kenexa.

 

Shares skidded 20%, or $4.44, to $17.70 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and news stories on Kenexa, click KNXA.

Emcore Corp (Nasdaq:EMKR), China Sunergy Co Ltd (Nasdaq:CSUN) and True Religion Apparel Inc (Nasdaq:TRLG) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Hoku Scientific Inc (Nasdaq:HOKU), Ricks Cabaret International Inc (Nasdaq:RICK) and Kenexa Corp (Nasdaq:KNXA) are also among the most actively traded companies.

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Here are the biggest percentage gainers and losers in pre-market trading among companies with a market cap between $50 million and $750 million:

Biggest percentage gainers:

• Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS), up 19% after reporting first-quarter results after Monday’s close that beat the street and raised full-year revenue guidance.
• Kenexa (Nasdaq: KNXA), up15% after the global provider of talent acquisition and retention services reported first-quarter earnings after Monday’s close that trumped the consensus on Wall Street, while revenues met. The company also issued full year guidance above analysts’ estimates and second-quarter revenues above the Street.
• Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Ltd. (Nasdaq:ULTR), up 13% after the industrial transportation company reported first-quarter results Monday evening that beat the consensus on Wall Street. The small cap attributed the robust results to strong demand in all of its main lines of business.

Biggest percentage losers:

• ShopNBC (Nasdaq:VVTV), down 10% after the 24-hour TV shopping network said after Monday’s close that it expects to report a decline in first-quarter revenues below the consensus on Wall Street, as the company grappled with a difficult consumer economy and a slowdown in discretionary spending.
• Hoku Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOKU), down 7% after reporting fourth-quarter results this morning that fell short of the consensus view on Wall Street.
• Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq:COMV), down 5% after reporting a first-quarter net loss that was wider than Wall Street expected, but narrower from the year-ago quarter. 

Shares of Kenexa (Nasdaq:KNXA) got a jolt in pre-market trading after the global provider of talent acquisition and retention services reported first-quarter earnings after Monday’s close that trumped the consensus on Wall Street, while revenues met.

The company also issued full year guidance above analysts’ estimates and second-quarter revenues above the Street.

Shares gained 15%, or $2.81, to $21.40 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Kenexa, click KNXA.

Small-cap shares opened higher Monday, lifted by advances in overseas equity markets, a firm U.S. dollar and a dip in crude oil prices. At 9:55 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 0.86, or 0.12%, at 720.91.

The U.S. dollar was up nearly 1% against the yen into the market open, and pushed about 0.2% higher versus the euro. The firm dollar tone was linked to a $2-per-barrel pullback in crude oil futures, which came off Friday’s record highs amid profit-taking.

Financial shares could find a boost this morning from a jump in the largest European bank HSBC, which climbed about 2% overnight on profit news. Early on this morning, Citigroup (NYSE:C) was up 0.6% and Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) was up about 0.8%. Other large-caps of note included Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), which was up 1.2% shortly after the opening on optimism ahead of earnings. Research in Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM) jumped 2.4% on news that the company was unveiling a new BlackBerry Bold Smartphone.

A massive earthquake in China overnight caught trader attention, but a lack of details seemed to leave the market without a feeling for whether or not it would have an impact on equities in the United States.

Looking ahead to this week’s action, the economic calendar picks up steam after a relatively tame risk quotient last week. Not only will the market have to navigate through a batch of important data on retail sales, inflation and housing starts, but there is a glut of Federal Reserve speakers on the docket.

Speaking of Fed speakers, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans was the first one up to the plate this morning, saying that housing was still a drag on the economy, and that growth risks were to the downside, but inflation risk was on the upside. He said that U.S. growth should improve in the second half of the year, but . . .

In the late 1990s, the tech world scoffed at the notion that corporate America would ever accept the concept of paying to download software from the Internet. But today, a growing number of small and medium-sized businesses are using on-demand software, or software-as-a-service (SaaS), for convenience and as an effective way to trim IT costs.

Market researcher IDC predicts that SaaS, which currently accounts for less than 2% of the global software market, will grow 25% annually and become a $14.5 billion industry by 2011. The popularity of on-demand software is growing so fast, in fact, that it is beginning to transform the business software industry. The rise of the SaaS delivery model has software giants Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), Oracle Corporation (Nasdaq: ORCL) and SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) a little nervous; all are plowing billions into efforts to respond to the emerging SaaS threat.

The emergence of the on-demand software trend reflects companies' growing desire for less cumbersome and more economical means of using information technology (particularly, Web-based systems) to their advantage. For example, a new generation of Tech-savvy workers and global talent shortfalls have changed the face of human resources, which has become a hot segment for on-demand software specialists at a time when even a tiny company may have a tangled mess of disjointed IT.

San Francisco, Calif.-based Taleo Corporation (Nasdaq: TLEO) is a developer of on-demand software that helps companies manage their human resources operations. HR is an area that is often challenging for smaller companies with less manpower dedicated to the department and inefficient ad hoc systems — often based on Excel spreadsheets and emails. Taleo software, which is easy to install, manage and integrate with existing software, helps growing businesses bring their human-resources functions up to snuff by simplifying recruitment, screening and tracking chores. The company sells its software directly to customers and through HR outsourcers with which it has established partnerships.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) posted solid gains as a rollercoaster day of trading ended with a sudden late rally. The small-cap index added 4.94 points, or 0.64%, to 780.90. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) lost 33.73 points, or 0.25%, to 13,266.29.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has lost 0.83%, while the Dow has advanced 6.35% and the S&P 500 has added 4.11%.

Futures were pointing up and stocks opened in positive territory following news that automaker Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) expects to break even in 2007 following a narrower third-quarter loss. The company beat Wall Street’s expectations by posting a loss of $380 million, compared with a loss of $5.2 billion a year earlier.

Helping the bulls in the early minutes of trading was news that British mining company Rio Tinto turned down a buyout offer from Australia’s BHP Billiton Ltd. The rejection led to speculation of more possible mergers and acquisition activity.

There was negative news as well, coming in the form of a second consecutive month of weak sales by U.S. retailers. Many retailers blamed their lackluster performance in October on warm weather, which is hurting sales of cold-weather items, and the higher price of gasoline, which is taking money out of consumers’ wallets.
Stocks bounced around in the morning, with the Russell 2000 generally staying in the green while the Dow was mostly in the red.

But the bears took over after 11 a.m. ET, when U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicted that U.S. economic growth will slow in the fourth quarter.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is falling on news that U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke expects economic growth to slow in the fourth quarter. At 1:55 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had retreated 7.74 points, or 1%, to 768.22. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was down 146.16 points, or 1.10%, to 13,153.86.

“Overall, the [Federal Open Market] Committee expected that the growth of economic activity would slow noticeably in the fourth quarter from its third-quarter rate,” Bernanke told the congressional Joint Economic Committee earlier today.

Economic growth will remain “sluggish” into the start of 2008 due to tighter credit and the slump in the housing sector, but will pick up later in the year, said the Fed chief.

Stocks started falling as soon as the news came out, with the Russell 2000 sliding below the flat line at about noon ET.

Bernanke also said that the depreciation of the U.S. dollar in combination with a rise in the price of oil have the increase of inflation in the long run.

The congressional testimony gave little clues as to the possibility of interest rate cuts in the near future, except that the central bank will remain watchful and will act as needed to ensure low inflation and economic growth.

Here are the current biggest percentage gainers and losers among companies with a market cap between $100 million and $750 million:

Biggest percentage gainers:

• Restoration Hardware Inc. (RSTO), up 141% on news it is being acquired for $267 million.
• Greenfield Online Inc. (SRVY), up 14% on news of a rise in third-quarter earnings.
• Stein Mart Inc. (SMRT), up 11% on news of a rise in October sales.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Hardinge Inc. (HDNG), down 37% despite news of a rise in third-quarter profit.
• Kenexa Corp. (KNXA), down 37% on news that it cut its full-year earnings guidance is below Wall Street estimates.
• PRG-Schultz International Inc. (PRGX), down 29%. A customer representative could not be reached for comment.

Hardinge Inc. (Nasdaq: HDNG), Kenexa Corp. (Nasdaq: KNXA) and National Atlantic Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq: NAHC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is rising despite news of weak U.S. retail sales in October.

At 10:41 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 1.5 points, or 0.19%, to 777.46. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was down 39.75 points, or 0.30%, to 13,260.27.

Small-cap stocks are moving up this morning while investors are digesting both bearish and bullish news and listening to U.S. Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke’s congressional testimony.

The bears like news that U.S. retailers posted weak sales in October. Many retailers blamed the warm weather for stalling sales of cold-weather items and the higher price of gasoline, which is pinching consumers’ wallets.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT), which saw a sales increase of just 0.4%, exemplifies the sector’s unimpressive performance.

Among small-cap retailers, shares of Hot Topic Inc. (Nasdaq: HOTT) cooled off due to news of a decline in October sales, while Christopher & Banks Corp. (NYSE: CBK) reported a 22% in October sales. Women’s fashion retailer New York and Company, Inc. (NYSE: NWY) also announced an increase in October sales.

The Russell 2000 futures were higher as the bulls reacted to news that automaker Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) reported that it expects to break even in 2007 following a narrower third-quarter loss. The company beat Wall Street’s expectations by posting a loss of $380 million, compared with a loss of $5.2 billion a year earlier.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are pointing up and the small-cap index could open on good earnings news from Ford.

Automaker Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) reported this morning that it expects to break even in 2007 following news of a narrower third-quarter loss. The company beat Wall Street’s expectations by posting a loss of $380 million, compared with a loss of $5.2 billion a year earlier.

Also encouraging the bulls is news that British mining company Rio Tinto rejected a buyout offer from Australia’s BHP Billiton Ltd. The denial spread speculation of more possible mergers and acquisition activity.

But the bears are also in the game, following news that U.S. retailers posted weak sales in October, the second consecutive month of weak performance. Many retailers blamed the warm weather for stalling sales of cold-weather items.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers and losers in pre-market trading among companies with a market cap between $100 million and $750 million:

Biggest percentage gainers:

• True Religion Apparel Inc. (TRLG), up 20% on news of a higher third-quarter revenue.
• H&E Equipment Services Inc. (HEES), up 15% on news of a stock buyback.
• Greenfield Online Inc. (SRVY), up 13% on news of strong third-quarter financials.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Kenexa Corp. (KNXA), down 31% on news that it cut its full-year earnings guidance below Wall Street estimates.
• Quality Distribution Inc. (QLTY) down 19% on news of a decline in third-quarter profit.
• GPC Biotech AG (GPCB) down 15% on news of a wider third-quarter net loss.

Ceragon Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: CRNT), ABX Air, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABXA) and China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: CSUN) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

Last year, U.S. employers spent approximately $7.5 trillion on labor, which represented approximately 56% of total U.S. GDP, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

While many businesses have implemented software for systematizing best practices in enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and supply chain management, few have brought this level of sophistication to their human resource areas.

Companies generally limit the use of their HR information systems to compiling basic employee information for payroll and benefits purposes, or rudimentary applicant tracking systems. Competition for qualified employees is intensifying though, as baby boomers retire, the U.S. economy becomes more service-oriented and the overall job market strengthens. As a result more companies are beginning to systemize best practices for employee hiring and sales incentives and are purchasing software to assist with this effort. 

Callidus Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALD) and Kenexa Corporation (Nasdaq: KNXA) are two small caps that offer software and services that help businesses improve employee recruiting and employee sales incentive plans.

Kenexa Corporation provides software and services for recruiting and retaining employees. The company’s software solutions include automated applicant tracking systems for streamlining the recruiting process, and assessment software for ensuring job candidates have the skills, personality and experience necessary for their positions. Kenexa also provides employee performance management tools for automating career tracking activities, designing and administering employee surveys and implementing mentoring programs.

A recent infusion of big-time talent has things looking up for a beaten-down microcap software play in the human resource management sector.

After years of largely profit-less growth, Burlingame, Calif.-based Workstream Inc. (Nasdaq: WSTM) could finally be poised to turn the corner under a recently revamped management team. In February, Deepak Gupta, the former general manager and founder of PeopleSoft’s On Demand software unit, was named chief executive of tiny $56 million Workstream. Prior to PeopleSoft, Gupta was the chief architect of Oracle Corporation’s (Nasdaq: ORCL) hosting business and the global leader for the software giant’s middleware line.

Since the hiring of Gupta, a string of heavy hitters from established enterprise software leaders have also joined Workstream’s executive ranks. This impressive group of new sales & marketing hires hail from Oracle, PeopleSoft, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) and Kronos among other well-known software companies. While it remains to be seen if Gupta can charge up Workstream’s top-line growth and lead this microcap software play to profitability, he certainly has attracted a high-caliber management team that has tasted success before.

Founded a little over a decade ago, Workstream has historically focused its efforts on selling compensation, performance and talent management solutions to large enterprises (over 2,500 employees). Workstream’s 400 customers include such brand names as Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC), Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD), The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD), the American Red Cross and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. In a bid to significantly expand its market opportunity, Workstream unveiled last month three new on-demand solutions for mid-sized businesses (between 100 and 2,500 employees). Workstream’s software frees companies from having to manually manage human resources processes using spreadsheets and paper documents for tracking.