Tag - MALL

PC Mall Inc. (Nasdaq:MALL) is down more than 15% today after the technology product marketer announced near the close today it was appointing Brandon LaVerne as its chief financial officer. The Torrance, Calif.-based company said LaVerne had been serving as interim CFO since June 2007. In today’s trading, shares of PC Mall are at $10.38 at 3:09 p.m. ET, down $1.90 from Wednesday’s close. The company is down more than 21% during the past five trading days.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) futures are rising and the small-cap index will open in the green despite news of bank writedowns.

Stocks small and large are poised for a bullish opening on news this morning that Swiss banking giant UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) has announced more writedowns stemming from the subprime mortgage mess.

However, investors are taking that as a good sign because the bank will receive help from four others, an indication that it will get through the current rough patch.

The Russell 2000 generated a modest rally in Monday’s quarter-ending session, finishing the month at a higher level than where it began for the first time since October. For the day, the Russell gained 4.79, or 0.70%, to 687.97.

In this morning’s trading, support comes in at 681, then at 674 and 667. Meanwhile, resistance is at 695, 705 and 714. The ISM Manufacturing Survey at 10:00 a.m. ET could spark some volatility, while vehicle sales will be reported throughout the session.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) posted a large increase for the second consecutive session on upbeat financial and housing news. The small-cap index advanced 19.86 points, or 2.91%, to 701.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) rose 187.32 points, or 1.52%, to 12,548.64.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 8.45%, while the Dow is down 5.40% and the S&P 500 has lost 8.07%.

Stocks small and large began the day in the green on news before the start of trading that investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) has raised its offer for Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) to $10 a share from $2 a share. The move is in response to disgruntled employees at Bear Stearns complaining that the original bid was too low.

The bulls gained strength at 10 a.m. ET, when the National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes rose 2.9% to an annual rate of . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is posting big gains as a rally takes hold on Wall Street. At 2:42 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had climbed 22.68 points, or 3.33%, to 704.10. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 235.43 points, or 1.90%, to 12,596.75.

The bulls are running the show as investors as stocks small and large rally on news that investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) has raised its offer for Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) to $10 a share from the original bid of $2 a share. JPMorgan has also agreed to guarantee Bear Stearns’ borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Bear Stearns collapsed under the weight of investments made on securities backed by subprime mortgages.

Speaking of the housing sector, sales of existing homes rose 2.9% in February, the National Association of Realtors reported after the start of trading. Investors took that as a bullish sign because economists were expecting . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) futures have moved up and the small-cap index will probably open higher.

Stocks are poised for a bullish opening following news that investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) may improve its offer for Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) to $10 a share from $2 a share. The move is an attempt to appease Bear Stearns’ shareholders, many of whom are angry at the low price.

The Russell 2000 had an "inside session" recovery Thursday, rising 17.29, or 2.60%, to 681.42. The market was able to post a solid advance for the holiday-shortened week despite a sloppy start on Monday, and now needs to hold above 650 this week to help validate any bottoming theories in play.

There is very little solid chart support until we get back down to 667 and 660, but there might be some buying interest on a dip toward 674 if the market starts out soft. On the upside, resistance is at 686, then just below 700. Existing home sales data comes out this  morning at 10:00 a.m. ET and could spark a little volatility.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) raced ahead on news that a manufacturing index declined less than expected. The small-cap index advanced 17.29 points, or 2.60%, to 681.42. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) climbed 261.66 points, or 2.16%, to 12,361.32.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has shed 11.05%, while the Dow is down 6.81% and the S&P 500 has retreated 9.46%.

Small-cap stocks opened with a modest rise but picked up steam after 10 a.m. ET, when the Philadelphia Federal Reserve reported that its index of regional manufacturing activity showed a reading of -17 in March, while economists had forecasted -20. The reading for February was -24.

The report is the most-watched regional manufacturing index, considered to be a barometer of manufacturing nationwide. Investors disregarded the fact that the data represent the longest period of contraction in five years and pushed stocks higher.

In other bullish news, an analyst said that mortgage purchases by Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) will help right the mortgage market. Today the federal government adopted changes that allow the two companies to invest more in mortgages and related securities.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are posting strong gains on news the U.S. Federal Reserve will act to boost liquidity.

At 1:12 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had soared 13.00 points, or 2.02%, to 656.97. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 204.26 points, or 1.74%, to 11,944.41.

Small-cap stocks are rising on news before the start of trading that the U.S. Federal Reserve and four other central banks will make expanded loans of cash and securities to financial institutions in an effort to ease the credit squeeze.

The Fed said it will lend up to $200 billion of Treasury securities to primary dealers for a term of 28 days. The U.S. central bank usually makes such loans overnight.

Shares of catalog and mail-order retailers are currently the top sector performers in today’s rally.

Small-cap direct marketer of brand name and private-label products Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX) is seeing its stock jump more than 25% on news after the close on Monday that the Port Washington, N.J.-based company has tripled its fourth-quarter profit.

Shares of PC Mall Inc. (Nasdaq: MALL), which markets computer hardware and software, and Zones Inc. (Nasdaq: ZONS), which resells IT products, are also in the green.

Also posting a modest gain is video-oriented product solutions provider Sigma Designs, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGM).

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow are rising on news of an upward revision in fourth-quarter productivity.

At 10:13 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 4.78 points, or 0.70%, to 685.76. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 92.89 points, or 0.76%, to 12,306.69.

Stocks are on the green on news that U.S. productivity for the fourth quarter of 2007 was revised up. The U.S. Commerce Department reported before the start of trading that business productivity grew 1.9% at an annualized rate, above the initial estimate of 1.8%. Economists were not expecting an upward revision.

Hours worked fell 1.6% as businesses reduced employees’ hours in order to save money.

But a bearish report by payroll services provider Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NYSE: ADP) is holding the bulls back. The Roseland, N.J.-based company said before the opening that private employers cut 23,000 jobs in February, the biggest drop in nearly five years.

Employment is seen as a lagging indicator and the decline tells us that the labor market is softening as economic growth is slowing.

The Russell 2000 (IWM) rose for the first time this week despite news that painted a bleak picture of the U.S. economy. The small-cap index added 10.29 points, or 1.49%, to 702.78. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) added 46.90 points, or 0.38%, to 12,247.00.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has shed 8.26%, while the Dow has let go 7.67% and the S&P 500 has left behind 8.95%.

Small-cap stocks went on a rollercoaster ride that started with a decline out of the gate as investors reacted to news that U.S. retail sales in January generally missed already low expectations.

That’s a worrying sign that consumers have pulled back and the economy is either headed for a recession or already in one.

Grabbing the headlines was Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), which announced that its January same-store sales increased a paltry 0.5%, below the forecasted 2%. If American consumers really are reining in their spending, the squeeze won’t be felt just by the world’s largest retailer.

“Smaller-cap retailers are definitely more volatile than their larger brethren, many times because they are focused on one particular niche,” said Eric Beder, a retail analyst with investment bank Brean Murray, Carret & Co., in an email.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) has bounced back after falling into the red on news of a decline in pending U.S. home sales. At 1:23 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had climbed 4.68 points, or 0.68%, to 697.17. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 18.94 points, or 0.16%, to 12,219.04.

Small-cap stocks are again posting solid gains after a brief foray into negative territory on news that December pending home sales declined a more-than-expected 1.5%, according to the National Association of Realtors.

That brought out the bears and the Russell 2000 dropped into negative territory at about 11:30 a.m. ET.

But stocks didn’t stay down for long, even though today’s economic news shows a weaker-than-expected drop in weekly jobless claims and poor retail sales in January.

One of the top gainers among small-cap companies is computer hardware marketer PC Mall, Inc. (Nasdaq: MALL), which is surging on news that fourth-quarter profit more than doubled.

Shares of network infrastructure products maker Echelon Corp. (Nasdaq: ELON) are also rising on news that fourth-quarter revenue jumped more than 300%.

On the flip side, EarthLink, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELNK) posted a net loss but shares of the Internet service provider are nevertheless rising because the result represents a narrowing compared to a wider loss a year earlier.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) fell as investors were not impressed with a stimulus package designed to prevent a recession. The small-cap index tumbled 7.39 points, or 1.09%, to 673.18, its second consecutive decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) lost 59.91 points, or 0.49%, to 12,099.30.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 is down 12.12%, while the Dow has declined 8.79% and the S&P 500 is missing 9.75%.

The U.S. economy is in a recession and policymakers will not be able to do much about it. It appears that was the dominating sentiment on Wall Street as the major U.S. indices posted a second day of losses despite news of a stimulus package designed to invigorate the economy.

But stocks small and large actually began trading in the green following news that General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit, matching analysts’ expectations.

Also contributing good news was Armonk, N.Y.-based International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM), which reported fourth-quarter earnings and issued a 2008 guidance above projections.

However, the bullish sentiment did not last. Stocks lost steam ahead of President Bush’s speech to discuss an economic stimulus package and stayed below the flat line after details were made public.

“There is a risk of a downturn,” President Bush said today. “I have concluded that additional action is needed.”

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices lost ground following news of Bush’s plan to invigorate the economy. At 1:33 p.m. ET, the small-cap index was down 4.92 points, or 0.72%, to 675.65. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had declined 47.63 points, or 0.39%, to 12,111.58.

“To keep our economy growing and creating jobs, Congress and the administration need to work to enact an economic growth package as soon as possible,” President Bush said during a press conference this afternoon.

Calls for a policy response to help the U.S. economy avoid recession have been mounting recently as politicians on both sides of the aisle have been scrambling to develop a stimulus package.

Bush continued that the growth package must about 1% of gross domestic product and has to focus on “broad-based tax relief.”

The White House wants to give one-time income tax rebates to taxpayers and eliminate the 10% income tax bracket for one year. Democrats generally agree, but want the aid to be more targeted toward the poor and unemployed.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are posting gains on upbeat news from major corporate players.
 
At 10:34 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 4.89 points, or 0.72%, to 685.46. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 121.98 points, or 1.07%, to 12,289.19.

Small-cap stocks opened in the green on news that General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) reported a fourth-quarter profit from continuing operations of $6.82 billion, or $0.68 per share, compared with $5.95 billion, or $0.58 per share, a year earlier. The result matches analysts’ expectations.

The earnings increase was largely due to strong demand for the Fairfield, Conn.-based company’s heavy equipment products.

Also contributing good news is International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM), which reported fourth-quarter earnings and issued a 2008 guidance above Wall Street’s projections.

In economic news, the Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index rose to a level of 80.5 in January from December’s 75.5. That came as a surprise to economists, who were expecting the measure to post a small decline. The index tracks consumers’ willingness to spend money.

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTI), American Railcar Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARII) and ARGON ST, Inc. (Nasdaq: STST) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

Gevity HR, Inc. (Nasdaq: GVHR), Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOMX) and Glu Mobile Inc. (Nasdaq: GLUU) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

PC Mall, Inc. (Nasdaq: MALL) shares are up after the technology products marketer reported third-quarter profit of $3 million, or $0.22 per share, above analyst predictions of $0.19 per share and up 58% from $1.9 million, or $0.15 per share, a year earlier.

“We are very pleased with our record third quarter 2007 results,” CEO Frank Khulusi said in a statement. “Our laser-sharp focus on profitability and sales growth has contributed to this strong performance.”

The Torrance, Calif.-based company’s quarterly sales grew 19% to $287.7 million, above Wall Street projections of $268.7 million and compared with $242.2 million a year earlier. PC Mall’s sales were boosted by a 79% increase in public sector revenue.

On Sept. 17, PC Mall completed the acquisition of information technology company Sarcom, Inc.

“We believe that SARCOM, now a wholly owned subsidiary of PC Mall, Inc., will enhance PC Mall’s capabilities as a reseller of advanced technology product solutions and services,” Khulusi said.

In morning trading, MALL shares are up 1.48%, or $0.28, at $18.90. Over the last 52 weeks, shares have ranged from $7.30 to $20.50.

PC Mall, Inc. (Nasdaq: MALL), which is a direct marketer of computer hardware, software, peripherals, electronics and other consumer products and services, is trading up in pre-market trading this morning after reporting second quarter earnings above analyst estimates.

For the three months ended June 30, the Torrance, Calif.-based company recorded net income of $0.22 per share, compared with earnings of $0.03 per share for the second quarter last year. One analyst polled by Thomson Financial was expecting earnings of $0.10 per share.

Net sales were $263 million, compared with $234.1 million for the second quarter of 2006. One analyst polled by Thomson Financial was expecting revenue of $260.2 million.

Shares of PC Mall jumped 12 %, or $1.50, to $14.00 in pre-market trading.

Atlanta-based Web.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: WWWW), a website hosting company, reported it is being acquired by Website Pros Inc. (Nasdaq: WSPI) for about $129 million in a cash and stock deal.

Spectrum Control, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPEC), a maker of electronic components for communications and aerospace equipment, said after Tuesday’s closing bell it expects third-quarter earnings per share to be up more than 57%.

Morgan Keegan upgraded home products retailer Cost Plus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPWM) to “market perform” from “underperform.”

Shares in Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: PLA) are up after the entertainment company announced it is opening a 40,000-foot club in Macau in 2009 as part of a plan to expand into China.

These are the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million:

CoolcatReport.com publisher Kevin Kennedy uses a proprietary trading and screening system, based in large part on momentum. For example, the stocks that make his buy list must be trading above their closes of 3, 6 and 12 months ago. In addition, they must have made new 52-week highs in the past two months.

Generally, Kennedy prefers stocks that have made new highs, have pulled back in a consolidation pattern, and are then poised to again move to new highs.

This basic strategy is applied to a wide range of stock ideas through his multiple Coolcat newsletter services. Small caps are featured in his Coolcat Explosive Small Cap Growth Stock Report.

“This batch of stocks is hanging out just above its 50-day moving average, offering some interesting entries with decent risks,” Kennedy says. “All have put earnings season to bed and appear well-positioned to move up from here.”

Passing Kennedy’s screening process is a trio of biotech stocks. Metabasis Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: MBRX), says Kennedy, has a “promising pipeline” of preclinical and clinical product candidates targeting metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity.

He notes that first-quarter revenues jumped 252% to $3.4 million, which included a $1.8-million upfront license fee received from Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE: SGP) and license fee and sponsored research revenue from its hepatitis C collaboration with Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: IDIX).

The company – with a market cap of $243 million -- had $71.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and securities at the end of March, Kennedy notes.

Meanwhile, BioImaging Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: BITI), with a market cap of $78 million, offers services to support the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries in product development.

The Russell 2000 is up sharply while the Dow is on track for another record close on reports of better-than-expected economic news.  In small cap action, news of record earnings has lifted shares of PC Mall, Inc. (Nasdaq: MALL) and Voxware, Inc. (Nasdaq: VOXW).

At 11:26 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 had added 10.44 points, or 1.28 percent, to 826.69.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 78.09 points, or 0.59 percent, to 13,214.23.

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