Tag - ORCC

Harris Stratex Networks Inc (Nasdaq:HSTX), Deluxe Corp (Nasdaq:DLX) and CryptoLogic Ltd (Nasdaq:CRYP) are among the new 52-week lows in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AuthenTec Inc (Nasdaq:AUTH), Shutterfly Inc (Nasdaq:SFLY), Stratasys Inc (Nasdaq:SSYS), Rubicon Technology Inc (Nasdaq:RBCN), Online Resources Corp (Nasdaq:ORCC) and Ohio Valley Banc Corp (Nasdaq:OVBC).

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

Small-cap stocks had an up and down session, grappling with the promise of an upbeat private employment survey versus the reality of a sudden updraft in energy prices. In the end, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 4.31, or 0.60%, at 718.86.

Small-cap stocks and tech stocks noticeably lagged the Dow and S&P 500, both of which benefited more from a jump in financial and consumer product large caps as well as money moving into big energy names. Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) rallied 4% as energy markets staged a sharp recovery rally.

Crude oil prices shot some $4 dollars a barrel higher today, reversing course from recent sharp declines. The buying frenzy was set off when the weekly inventory tally showed a surprising drop in gasoline stocks. While a boon to some energy stocks, the jump in crude prices sent a chill through the overall stock market.

On the financial side of things, large caps embraced news that the Federal Reserve would extend access to its primary dealer credit facility window through Jan. 30, which helps to access cheap money needed to combat the credit crunch and raise low-cost capital amid debt write-downs. In addition, President Bush inked the rescue plan for mortgage financing firms, which will support Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE), as the two firms own or guarantee nearly 50% of the country’s $12 billion in home mortgage debt. While both FNM and FRE posted solid gains today, they finished well off the morning highs. The SEC also extended a short-selling curb through Aug. 12, so when you combine that with the Fed extending the credit facility and the White House stamping approval on GSE funding measures, it sends a pretty clear message that government officials want to stabilize the financial landscape. Investors could easily see through that message and as a result, several large-cap financial firms were attractive to buyers today. Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) was up 2%, Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) up 3% and Citigroup (NYSE:C) up nearly 2%.

The day started off with an unexpected bullish surprise as the ADP Employment Report showed a stunning increase in non-farm payrolls of 9,000 jobs in July, which . . .

Silicon Motion Technology Corp (Nasdaq:SIMO), LandAmerica Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:LFG) and Online Resources Corp (Nasdaq:ORCC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: LECG Corporation (Nasdaq:XPRT), Ultimate Software Group Inc (Nasdaq:ULTI), Asbury Auto GP Ord Shs (Nasdaq:ABG), ICT Group Inc (Nasdaq:ICTG), Hanmi Financial (Nasdaq:HAFC) and Stewart Information Services Corp (Nasdaq:STC).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks pushed higher this morning, buoyed by a positive surprise on the ADP Employment Report, which heightened investor expectations for a bullish number on this Friday’s big Labor Department monthly employment release. At 9:56 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 5.91, or 0.83%, at 720.46.

The headline figure on the ADP report was at plus 9,000, which was well above the forecast for a decline of 58,000 non-farm payroll jobs. The ADP report used to have a fairly nice correlation to the more extensive Labor Department release, but that correlation has broken down over the last year and the ADP figure has tended to only be a good predictor when it falls near the consensus estimate. Given that the market is looking for a slide of 75,000 jobs in Friday’s employment report, most economists viewed the ADP data this morning with skepticism. Still, it did spark a bounce in the U.S. dollar and stock index futures this morning while generating a slide in Treasuries. The yield on the benchmark 10-year note was up about 1.6% this morning, suggesting money flow away from “safe-haven” products and toward stocks.

Lost in the positive glow of the ADP report was this morning’s MBA Mortgage Applications Survey, which was pegged at minus 14.1, the lowest level since December 2001. The combination of weak home sales and slumping home equity continue to take a toll on mortgage applications, despite moderating mortgage rates.

The greenback was up about 0.3% against the euro, rising to the highest point in four weeks. At the same time, crude oil prices were hovering near three-month lows and gold prices were near four-week lows, so the inflation picture was projecting a better tone this morning, and a strong dollar can attract foreign investors into U.S. assets.

Speaking of crude oil, the market was down about $1 dollar a barrel, slipping below $122, awaiting the weekly inventory data, which is expected to show a build in crude oil stocks. Rhetoric surrounding the direction of crude oil prices later this year is all over the map, with some pundits saying that crude oil could slide below $100 dollars, while some research firms are still calling for $150 dollars. Given recent stock market behavior, when prices get above $135 dollars, the stock market becomes . . .

Shares of Online Resources Corporation (Nasdaq:ORCC) have skidded 23% in today’s trading after the company reported a wider second-quarter loss. For the quarter ended June 30, net loss was $3.2 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.04 per share for the same period a year earlier. Revenues grew 16% to $37.2 million.

“We are still seeing healthy growth, but we are not completely immune to struggles in the banking sector and the broader economy. Our challenges are straightforward: continue to expand distribution by taking advantage of our strong competitive position, accelerate revenue growth by implementing new clients faster, and leverage our clients’ increased focus on the web channel as an important tool to deal with a soft economy,” said Matthew P. Lawlor, chairman and CEO, in a statement after Tuesday’s close.

The Chantilly, Va.-based company provides outsourced Internet financial technology services. Shares are at $7.89 at 10:01 a.m. ET, down $2.37 from Tuesday’s close. During the past year, shares have ranged from $7.50 to $13.80. Trading volume is well below average today.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is in negative territory, down more than any of the other major U.S. indices.

At 10:06 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was off 7.24 points, or 1.04%, to 689.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had let go 29.06 points, or 0.24%, to 12,255.24.

With no major economic news scheduled for today, investors are focusing on company news. The Russell 2000 opened in the green but quickly turned south.

Leading the downward movement is Cbeyond, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBEY), a provider of Internet protocol-based (IP) communications services. The Atlanta, Ga.-based company reported that its fourth-quarter profit nearly tripled, but released 2008 revenue guidance below expectations.

Also falling is McGrath RentCorp (Nasdaq: MGRC). The seller of portable classrooms and office space posted fourth-quarter net income of $12.1 million, or $0.48 per share, beating projections. However, revenue was $70.7 million, below the expected $78.9 million.

On the flip side, armored vehicles maker Force Protection, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRPT) is seeing its shares rise on news that it has received a $115 million order from the U.K. Ministry of Defense.

Financial technology services provider Online Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCC) is also enjoying a bump in its stock price following news that fourth-quarter revenues rose 29.6% to $38.1 million, above Wall Street’s forecast of $37.9 million.

Shares of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Nasdaq: RRGB) are in the green on news that the Greenwood Village, Colo.-based casual dining chain increased its fourth-quarter profit 14%.

Ceragon Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: CRNT), Incyte Corp. (Nasdaq: INCY) and Online Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCC) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is down after opening with modest gains as investors reacted to upbeat earnings news.

At 10:41 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was down 1.34 points, or 0.16%, to 820.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had added 33.08 points, or 0.24%, to 13,839.78.

There is nothing major being released on the economic front today, so all eyes are focused on the latest corporate earnings.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), the second largest U.S. telecommunications company, announced before the opening that revenue for the third-quarter increased 5.8% to $23.8 billion from $22.5 billion a year earlier. However, net income declined by 34% to $1.27 billion, compared with $1.92 billion during the third quarter of 2006.

Computer maker Dell Inc. (Nasdaq: DELL) also contributed to the bullish sentiment when it said that it would consider making more acquisitions. Round Rock, Texas-based Dell has acquired five companies in the past two years.

The Russell 2000 opened in positive territory, but unexpectedly fell after about 10:15 a.m. ET.

Among small-cap companies, Gehl Co. (Nasdaq: GEHL) is down on news that the maker of compact construction equipment reported a decline in third-quarter income. Meanwhile, North American Galvanizing & Coatings (Nasdaq: NGA) is gaining ground on news before the start of trading that third-quarter profit more than doubled.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices raced ahead today on news of solid earnings from big players. The small-cap index added 15.28 points, or 1.90%, to 821.39. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) gained 134.78 points, or 0.99%, to 13,806.70.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has increased 4.31%, while the Dow has added 10.68% and the S&P 500 has gained 8.38%.

Futures were pointing up and trading began in the green following news that Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) increased its first-quarter net income 23% to $4.29 billion, or $0.45 per share, above the $0.39 per share projected by analysts. The rise was due to a whooping 87% growth in the company’s entertainment and devices segment, primarily due to strong sales of its video game “Halo.”
 
Adding to the upbeat pre-market sentiment was Countrywide Financial Corp. (NYSE: CFC), the largest mortgage lender in the United States, which said that it will return to profitability in the fourth quarter after losing money in the third quarter due to the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector.

The bulls took control of trading out of the gate and kept their feet to the pedal throughout the session. With positive earnings news grabbing the headlines, the bears decided to sleep.

But there was some negative news, coming in the form of a larger-than-expected drop in October consumer confidence. The Reuters/University of Michigan final sentiment index fell to a reading of 80.9, the lowest level in more than a year. Economists were expecting to see a decline to a level of 82 from 83.4 in September.

Shares of Online Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCC) got pummeled to a new 52-week low on news after the close on Thursday that the provider of web-based financial technology services missed Wall Street’s third-quarter earnings expectations.

Chantilly, Va.-based Online Resources reported a net income of $1.1 million, or $0.04 per share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, while eight analysts polled by Thomson Financial were looking for earnings of $0.07 per share. A year earlier the company booked a net loss of $3.4 million, or $0.13 per share.

Revenue improved 21% to $34.2 million, compared with $28.3 million during the same three months of 2006. Wall Street had projected revenues of $34.02 million.

“Our solid results in the third quarter were due primarily to continued growth in transactions and consumer adoption of bill pay,” said chairman and CEO Matthew Lawlor in a statement.

Looking ahead, Online Resources announced a fourth-quarter 2007 revenue guidance of between $37.3 million and $38.8 million, just short of the $39.17 million projected by analysts.

“Our view is tempered by a higher mix of volume-priced bill payments from large clients,” said Lawlor. “We are also making some more conservative assumptions on the deployment of expedited payment services for banks and billers.”

Online Resources provides financial software and services such as payments processing to banks in return for a monthly fee.

At 3:45 p.m. ET, Online Resources Corp. (ORCC) shares had lost $4.04, or 33%, to $8.25. The previous 52-week low was $9, set on Feb. 15. The 52-week high of $13.80 was reached on Aug. 9.

Trident Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRID), Online Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCC) and Clayton Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLAY) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is posting gains midway though the session, buoyed by earnings news. At 1:34 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 8.66 points, or 1.07%, to 814.77. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 78.12 points, or 0.57%, to 13,750.04.

Trading began on a bullish note as investors responded to news that Microsoft Corp.’s (Nasdaq: MSFT) first-quarter earnings beat Wall Street’s projections. The Redmond, Wash.-based company posted a stunning 87% growth in its entertainment and devices segment, primarily due to strong sales of its video game “Halo.”

Meanwhile, Countrywide Financial Corp. (NYSE: CFC), the largest mortgage lender in the United States, said that it will return to profitability in the fourth quarter and outpace projections after taking a hit in the third quarter due to the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector this summer.

In small-cap news, industrial products maker Graham Corp. (AMEX: GHM) increased its quarterly profit seven-fold, while Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. (Nasdaq: GIFI) stumbled after missing analysts’ third-quarter profit expectations.

Elsewhere, the U.S. dollar has fallen to another all-time low against the euro. One greenback can now be exchanged for 0.695 of the currency adopted by 13 countries in the 27-member European Union. This morning the dollar was at 0.698 euros.

The weak dollar is contributing to another rise in the price of oil, which is denominated in the U.S. currency. A barrel of oil now costs $90.99, up $0.53. Earlier in the day the price of oil was closer to $92 a barrel.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is the top performer as the major U.S. indices rise on news of upbeat earnings.

At 10:25 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had gained 9.11 points, or 1.13%, to 815.22. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 94.78 points, or 0.69%, to 13,766.70.

The small-cap futures were pointing north following news that Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) reported after Thursday’s close that its first-quarter earnings beat analysts’ expectations, mainly due to strong sales of the videogame “Halo.”  The Redmond, Wash.-based also raised its outlook for the full fiscal year.

Contributing to the upbeat sentiment is Countrywide Financial Corp. (NYSE: CFC), the largest mortgage lender in the United States, which announced that it will return to profitability in the fourth quarter and beat Wall Street’s expectations. The New York-based company also reported a third-quarter net loss, its first in a quarter century, due to the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector this summer.

Among small-cap companies, Callidus Software Inc. (Nasdaq: CALD) has been left behind after reporting a wider-than-expected third-quarter net loss.

In economic news, U.S. consumer confidence tumbled more-than-expected. The Reuters/University of Michigan final sentiment index fell in October to a reading of 80.9, the lowest level in more than a year. Economists were expecting to see a decline to a level of 82. The index was at 83.4 in September.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are rising and the small-cap index is set for a bullish opening on positive earnings news.

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) reported after the close on Thursday that its first-quarter earnings beat analysts’ expectations due to strong sales of the videogame “Halo.”  The Redmond, Wash.-based also raised its outlook for the full fiscal year.

Contributing to the upbeat sentiment is troubled mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp. (NYSE: CFC), which announced that it will return to profitability in the fourth quarter. The New York-based company also reported a third-quarter net loss, its first in 25 years.

Like other mortgage lenders, Countrywide took a hit this summer due to the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector.

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:

• Sierra Wireless Inc. (SWIR), up 14% on news of higher third-quarter earnings.
• FalconStor Software Inc. (FALC), up 11% on news of a strong third-quarter.
• Ikanos Communications Inc. (IKAN), up 11% despite news of a wider third-quarter loss.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Trident Microsystems Inc. (TRID), down 28% on news that quarterly financial results missed expectations.
• Online Resources Corp. (ORCC), down 19% on news of fourth-quarter guidance below projections.
• LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS) down 16% on news it did not provide a guidance for fiscal 2008.