Tag - SMRT

UQM Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:UQM), Lumber Liquidators Inc. (Nasdaq:LL) and TNS Inc. (Nasdaq:TNS) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Cleveland BioLabs Inc. (Nasdaq:CBLI), Avis Budget Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), Evercore Partners Inc. (Nasdaq:EVR), Emergency Medical Services Corp. (Nasdaq:EMS), Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT) and Evolving Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:EVOLD).

Interactive Intelligence Inc (Nasdaq:ININ), Stein Mart, Inc (Nasdaq:SMRT) and Eastern Co (Nasdaq:EML) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Cooper Tire & Rubber Co (Nasdaq:CTB), Ardea Biosciences Inc (Nasdaq:RDEA), Broadpoint Gleacher Securities Group Inc (Nasdaq:BPSG), United States Lime & Minerals Inc (Nasdaq:USLM), Cray Inc (Nasdaq:CRAY) and Books-A-Million Inc (Nasdaq:BAMM).

Interactive Intelligence Inc. (Nasdaq:ININ), Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:NOVN) and Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT) are among the new 52-week highs in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Ardea Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq:RDEA), Books-A-Million Inc. (Nasdaq:BAMM), Clearwater Paper Corp. (Nasdaq:CLW), Hi-Tech Pharmacal Inc. (Nasdaq:HITK), Global Consumer Acquisition Units (Nasdaq:GHC.U) and SXC Health Solutions Corp. (Nasdaq:SXCI).

A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR), Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT) and Geokinetics Inc. (Nasdaq:GOK) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Navigant Consulting Inc. (Nasdaq:NCI), Pacific Booker Minerals Inc. (Nasdaq:PBM), Symyx Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:SMMX), Oriental Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:OFG), Psychemedics Corp. (Nasdaq:PMD) and Meta Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CASH).

China Distance Education Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:DL), Lannett Co Inc. (Nasdaq:LCI) and Diedrich Coffee Inc. (Nasdaq:DDRX) are among the new 52-week highs in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: KongZhong Corp. (Nasdaq:KONG), Kirklands Inc. (Nasdaq:KIRK), Health Fitness Corp. (Nasdaq:FIT), Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT), ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CKSW) and Shuffle Master Inc. (Nasdaq:SHFL).

KongZhong Corp. (Nasdaq:KONG), Great Southern Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:GSBC) and Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT) are among the new 52-week highs in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: SXC Health Solutions Corp. (Nasdaq:SXCI), Symmetricom Inc. (Nasdaq:SYMM), NeurogesX Inc. (Nasdaq:NGSX), STEC Inc. (Nasdaq:STEC), Central Garden & Pet Co. (Nasdaq:CENTA) and Spartan Motors Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR).

Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT), Bank of Kentucky Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:BKYF) and Kirklands Inc. (Nasdaq:KIRK) are among the new 52-week highs in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT), Bridgepoint Education Inc. (Nasdaq:BPI) and China TransInfo Technology Corp. (Nasdaq:CTFO) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Tessera Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:TSRA), Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTL), Kirklands Inc. (Nasdaq:KIRK), Bridgford Foods Corp. (Nasdaq:BRID), CommVault Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CVLT) and Pep Boys-Manny Moe & Jack (Nasdaq:PBY).

Stocks are in rally mode this Thursday, adding to gains after the board that sets U.S. accounting standards agreed to give banks more flexibility in applying mark-to-market accounting to their toxic assets.

At 12:41 pm ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is up 24.71, or 5.76%, at 453.87, while the Dow is up 3.88% at 8,062.59 and the S&P 500 is soaring 4.04% at 843.87.

Small caps on the move today include Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT), up 22% today, and Century Aluminum (Nasdaq:CENX) is also treading 26% higher.

******Unemployment numbers continue to rise, but investors are more focused on the hope that the economy has bottomed and may be positioning for recovery. At least for now.

Please note that I said “positioning for recovery.” Mortgage rates are down and that seems to be helping the housing market a little. Credit afforded by the Treasury aimed at removing toxic assets from banks is resulting in higher valuations for those banks.

But all of the steps that have been taken are in their infancy. How long will it take to work off the available inventory in the housing market? Will banks and private investors come to an agreement on acceptable prices for toxic assets?

These questions will be answered over time. And it should go without saying that there’s plenty of room for disappointment down the road.

*****The Public-Private Investment Program could create some very low risk profits for its participants. That’s because the Treasury and the Fed are . . .

Stein Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT) slipped to a new 52-week low this morning after reporting a drop in sales for September as compared with last year.

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based fashion retailer said before the bell this morning that its sales in September totaled $112 million compared with $127.2 million in September of 2007.

Stein Mart said September sales were negatively impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, both of which forced store closures in several states. The company lost a total of 111 store selling days as a result, it said.

By mid-morning, Stein Mart is at $2.86, down $0.08, from Tuesday's close, after having fallen to a new 52-week low of $2.73 earlier in the day. Previously, the stock had ranged between $2.90 and $8.03 during the past 52 weeks.

For detailed price information and news stories on Stein Mart, click SMRT.

Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMRT) said this morning that first-quarter sales declined and missed the consensus estimate on Wall Street, sending shares lower in pre-market trading.

Management noted, “…we remain concerned about the consumer's cautious mindset as we look out at the rest of the year.”

Shares slipped 7%, or $0.34, to $4.75 ahead of the opening bell. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Stein Mart, click SMRT.

The following small-cap companies (market capitalizations or values under $750 million) are broadcasting events on Thursday, March 20.

Here are the companies ordered chronologically (all times ET):

Stein Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:SMRT), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:MDRX) and Penson Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:PNSN) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are the most actively traded small-cap companies in Tuesday's pre-market trading:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) fell today as fears of a U.S. economic slowdown gripped Wall Street. The small-cap index lost 9.03 points, or 1.21%, to 740.30, its sixth consecutive decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) let go 211.10 points, or 1.62%, to 12,799.04.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has shed 5.98%, while the Dow has added 2.60% and the S&P 500 has gained 0.01%.

Stocks fell out of the gate and never managed to rise above the flat line as investors digested news of reports forecasting that U.S. economic growth will slow in 2008.

On Tuesday the U.S. Federal Reserve forecasted that growth will slow in 2008 and the unemployment rate will move up from its current level of 4.7%. The Fed sees inflation as remaining moderate.

A second blow came after the start of trading, when the Conference Board announced that its index of leading economic indicators fell more than expected in October. The index slid 0.5%, more than the projected 0.4%, following a downwardly revised gain of 0.1% in September.

The business organization’s report seemingly confirms fears that businesses and consumers will cut back on spending in the face of stagnating house prices and higher energy costs.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are still in negative territory on fears of an economic slowdown. At 2:27 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had fallen 4.35 points, or 0.58%, to 744.98. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was missing 113.15 points, or 0.87%, to 12,896.99.

The U.S. index of leading economic indicators for October unexpectedly fell 0.5%, the Conference Board announced after the start of trading. That’s more than the projected decline of 0.4% and a sign that the economy might be headed for an abrupt slowdown in 2008. The index increased a downwardly revised 0.1% in September.

Only three of the leading ten indicators that make up the index rose in October, the business organization said.

The news raised fears that consumer spending will decline as the slump in the U.S. housing sector and higher energy costs take their toll.

Worries of a coming economic slowdown are what caused stocks to open lower.

On Tuesday the U.S. Federal Reserve forecasted that growth will slow in 2008 and unemployment will creep up slightly from the current level of 4.7% while inflation remains in check.

Shares of Stein Mart Inc. (Nasdaq: SMRT) are rising following news before the start of trading that the women’s fashion retailer narrowed its third-quarter loss forecast.

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based company announced that it expects a net loss of between $0.06 per share and $0.08 per share, compared with a previous forecast calling for a net loss of between $0.15 per share and $0.18 per share. Four analysts polled by Thomson Financial were calling for a loss of $0.17 per share.

“Although we had a positive response to an additional promotional event
mid-month, our business remains difficult,” said president and CEO Linda Farthing in a statement.

Stein Mart reported that same-store sales for the month of October fell 3.8%, resulting in a fall of 6.3% during the third quarter. However, expenses declined, primarily due to the delayed opening of some new stores.

The company announced that it opened eight new stores in the quarter and closed two. As of Nov. 3, Stein Mart had 276 stores, compared with 265 a year earlier. The company said it expects to close the year with 280 stores, up from 268 at the end of 2006.
At 3:40 p.m. ET, shares of Stein Mart (SMRT) had added $0.82, or 15%, to $6.42. That’s far from the 52-week high of $18, which was touched on Nov. 15, 2006. The 52-week low of $5.54 was set on Nov. 7.

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.

Restoration Hardware, Inc. (Nasdaq: RSTO), AeroCentury Corp. (AMEX: ACY) and Amcon Distributing Co. (AMEX: DIT) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

Cardica, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDC) , Hoku Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOKU) and Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. (Nasdaq: LEND) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million:

Shares of Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMRT) sunk today after the fashion merchandiser reported that it expects comparable store sales to decrease in its fiscal third quarter.

For the three months ending November 3, the company’s management expects comparable store sales to decline 2% to 4%, compared with the third quarter of 2006 in which comparable store sales increased 0.2%, based on current unfavorable selling trends.

According to company officials, despite a reduction of certain controllable expenses, there will be negative pressure put on its gross margins due to expected lowered sales.

Additionally, costs associated with new and recently opened stores that are not yet in the comparable store sales base could negatively impact the company’s bottom line.

Based on these variables, management said it expects to report a loss of $0.03 to $0.06 per share for the third quarter. Four analysts polled by Thomson Financial had anticipated earnings of $0.04 per share.

New York & Company, Inc. (NYSE: NWY), Flamel Technologies S.A. (Nasdaq: FLML) and Protherics PLC (Nasdaq: PTIL) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

The Russell 2000 small cap index has lost more than 1% as investors worry that a rise in home sales dims the outlook for future interest rate cuts.  At 14:36 p.m. ET the Russell 2000 had dropped 11.62 points, or 1.39%, to 824.92.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 47.06 points, or 0.35%, to 13,478.59.