Tag - TARG

Small-cap stocks pushed higher Tuesday, as investors tried to balance ongoing worries about the economy and corporate profits versus hope for fresh stimulus funds. Short-term oversold conditions likely played a supportive role as well. Some of today’s small-cap gainers were Targanta Therapeutics (Nasdaq:TARG), ZymoGenetics (Nasdaq:ZGEN) and Aercap Holdings NV (NYSE:AER).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The market appeared to slip initially, then staged a recovery move during the first speech of the year by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
• Bernanke said this morning that TARP funds should be directed toward toxic mortgage-backed assets, which was news that traders seemed to openly embrace.
• The international trade report showed that the U.S. deficit narrowed by 28.7% in November, which marked the largest contraction in 12 years. 
• On the commodities scene, gold climbed and copper reversed a big overnight decline in Asia to trend higher.
• Crude oil prices closed out the day with a modest gain of $0.19 a barrel, which was off the U.S. trading session highs, but still quite a bit better than losses seen in overseas action.
• Gains in energy and other commodities were hampered somewhat today by a strong tone in the U.S. dollar, which rose 1.4% against the euro. 
• Looking ahead to Wed., the market will see a ramp up of econ data, with retail sales, import prices and biz inventories out in the morning. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• The Medicines Company announced it will acquire Targanta Therapeutics. Targanta shares closed up a whopping 109%. See (Nasdaq:TARG).
• Bristol-Myers to buy ZymoGenetics’ experimental Hepatitis C drug. Shares of ZymoGenetics popped 26%. See (Nasdaq:ZGEN).
• Aercap Holdings NV soared 25% as the Netherlands aviation firm . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed down nearly 8% today, sinking to the lowest point since May 2003. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Orexigen Therapeutics (Nasdaq:OREX), Retalix Limited (Nasdaq:RTLX) and Targanta Therapeutics (Nasdaq:TARG).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The consumer price index headline figure came in at minus 1%, which was slightly below the consensus forecast for a dip of 0.8%.
• The MBA Mortgage Application Index slipped 6.2% and is hovering near 8-year lows as the housing market continues to struggle. 
• Single-family housing starts tumbled to the lowest level in 27 years.
• Automobile manufacturers, REITS, health-care facilities and hot commodities like aluminum and coal were all down. 
• The yield on benchmark 10-year notes collapsed some 4.5% today and the yield on five-year notes hit a five-year low.
• The chart picture for small caps is decidedly one-dimensional, with all the power and the dynamic long-term patterns pointing to further decay.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX) closed up 20% without any apparent fresh news behind the move.
• Retalix Limited (Nasdaq:RTLX) closed up 20.5% on light volume this morning, following earnings results earlier this week that showed a decline in Q3 profit, prompting small cap to cut guidance.
• Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG) was a featured small-cap in rally mode Monday and the move was extended today –- the company closed . . .

Small-cap stocks opened higher, then turned slightly down as investors juggled tame inflation data, sinking Asian stocks, ongoing worries about the economy and testimony about the TARP against an optimistic profit view by a major computer maker. At 10:06 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 0.94, or 0.21%, at 450.36.

The “big” event so far this morning was the earnings release from Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ) as the world’s largest PC-maker topped the estimate, but more notably raised guidance, which has been unheard of in recent corporate profit reports. The HPQ news clearly triggered a sizable bounce off the overnight lows in stock index futures ahead of the regular open, and bolstered investor psychology early on today.

On the inflation front, the headline producer price index tumbled by 2.8%, which was the largest decline on record, fueled largely to a collapse in energy prices. The “core” rate, which excludes volatile food and energy prices was actually up 0.4% and is up 4.4% on a yearly basis, the biggest climb in 19 years. The consumer side of the equation will be released Wednesday morning. Clearly, prices have tumbled hard, completely erasing inflation worries at this stage of the economic decline.

Crude oil prices were down solidly overnight, but climbed back into positive territory ahead of the stock market open. Oil services shares were lower overseas and commodities were down in Europe, which could keep a defensive posture in play for energy and other commodity-themed stocks early today.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke were on Capital Hill this morning to update progress on the TARP (the government’s $700 billion financial bailout plan). Paulson said that the TARP needs to be preserved to allow flexibility and the package is designed to help the financial system and is not a panacea for all economic problems. He also said that the housing market collapse is the root of the downturn and that a slowing economy may prolong the . . .

Just when it looked like the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) would close out Monday with a small gain, the index tipped into the red ahead of the bell on slumping financial stocks and concerns about the economy. Today’s small-cap gainers are Targanta Therapeutics (Nasdaq:TARG), CTS Corp. (NYSE:CTS) and PHH Corp. (NYSE:PHH).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The NY Manufacturing Survey came in at -25.4, better than the forecast for -26.1. Still, it was the worst showing on record.
• Libor rates edged slightly higher overnight and have been correcting up slightly after going down every day for a month.
• The market was sharply divided today, with strong gains seen for several sectors, but big losses offsetting in other sectors, which had cumulative effect of keeping index movement relatively stable.
• Crude oil prices had an up and down day, but eventually succumbed to the economic fears and shed $2.09 a barrel, or 3.6% on the day. 
• Philly Fed says U.S. has been in a recession since spring, it will last 14 months, making it the most prolonged growth drought since the Great Depression.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG) rallied 36% on unusually heavy volume on news that the FDA will review an application for a skin infection drug made by the firm.
• CTS Corp. (NYSE:CTS) rose 18% as the electronics manufacturing supplier continued to rally off 52-week lows forged last week.
• PHH Corp. (NYSE:PHH) rose 17% as the financial services firm also tries to . . .

Small-cap stocks pushed higher into mid-session, supported by gains in airlines, retailers and energy stocks. Small-caps were firm relative to large-cap stocks which were pulled down by big financials and tech companies.Today's biggest small-cap gainers are Theravance Inc. (Nasdaq:THRX), Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG) and General Motors (NYSE:GM).

Other Market Watch highlights included:

• The U.S. dollar was down more than 1% against the euro, which also helped the tone in commodity stocks.  
• Crude oil prices pulled higher amid talk of OPEC cuts and the hijacking of a big Saudi oil freighter.  
• Financial shares continue to be a drag on large-cap indices, with the Financial SPDR Fund off about 2%.  
• The market was sharply divided today, with strong gains seen for several sectors, but big losses offsetting in other sectors, which had cumulative effect of keeping index movement relatively stable. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Theravance Inc. climbed 15% as the company said that a skin infection drug showed capability to fight deadly bacteria See (Nasdaq:THRX).  
• Targanta Therapeutics Corp. jumped 34% on news that an FDA committee will review the firm’s new application for skin infections. See (Nasdaq:TARG).  
• General Motors Corp. is up about 11% as the automaker continues to benefit from expectations that the U.S. government will extend a helping hand to carmakers. See (NYSE:GM).  
• First stores open at Developers Diversified Realty's Homestead Pavilion late last week; shares up 8% today. See (NYSE:DDR).

Small Cap Losers:

• Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. slumped 21%, tumbling to fresh 52-week lows following analyst downgrades last week. See (Nasdaq:CETV).  
• Horizon Lines down nearly 10% following last week's news that the company would cut fuel surcharges by 5.5%. See (NYSE:HRZ).  
• Allied Capital Corporation down 12% today after analysts said last week that the company faces liquidity issues. See (NYSE:ALD).  
• Live Nation Inc. treads 16.4% lower today as recession fears continue to hurt the ticket industry. See (NYSE:LYV).

Small-cap stocks pushed higher into mid-session, supported by gains in airlines, retailers and energy stocks. Small-caps were firm relative to large-cap stocks which were pulled down by big financials and tech companies. At 12:45 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 3.64, or 0.80%, at 460.16.

The market was sharply divided today, with strong gains seen for several sectors, but big losses offsetting in other sectors, which had cumulative effect of keeping index movement relatively stable. Financial shares continue to be a drag on large-cap indices, with the Financial SPDR Fund off about 2%, with Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) and Well Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) both down in the 2% range.

Among airline stocks, UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) was up 7% while US Airways Group Inc. (NYSE:LCC) was up 5% and Continental Airlines Inc. (NYSE:CAL) was up 4%. Crude oil prices pulled higher amid talk of OPEC cuts and the hijacking of a big Saudi oil freighter, but the move was relatively tame and not enough to spook airline stocks. The U.S. dollar was down more than 1% against the euro, which also helped the tone in commodity stocks. General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) was up about 11% as the automaker continues to benefit from expectations that the U.S. government will extend a helping hand to carmakers.

The bearish story on the technology front today was supposed to be Dell Inc. (Nasdasq:DELL) following an analyst downgrade, but the PC-maker was actually up 1% at midday, so the woes in tech stocks were linked to other concerns.

Individual small caps in rally mode today included Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG), which jumped 34% on news that an FDA committee will review the firm’s new application for skin infections. CTS Corp. (NYSE:CTS) rallied 22% as the electronics manufacturing firm climbs out of the 52-week lows set during last week’s slide. China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. (NYSE:ZNH) was up 16%, bolstered by reports that Chinese airlines will seek government assistance. Theravance . . .

Quest Energy Partners L P (Nasdaq:QELP), Seabridge Gold Inc. (Nasdaq:SA) and Landrys Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq:LNY) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Tortoise Energy Capital Corp. (Nasdaq:TYY), Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG), WebMD Health Corp. (Nasdaq:WBMD), Allscripts Misys Healthcare Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:MDRX), PAB Bankshares Inc. (Nasdaq:PABK) and Primeenergy Corp. (Nasdaq:PNRG).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

During midday trading, the Russell 2000 is one of few indices in the green, up 0.77%, however trading remains volatile, with the market popping back off a 3% mid-morning slide fairly quickly. Today’s small-cap gainers are Encore Acquisiton (NYSE:EAC), Targanta Therapeutics (Nasdaq:TARG) and China TechFaith (Nasdaq:CNTF). Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The industrial production report released this morning pegged output down 2.8%; the forecast was for -0.8%.
• The best performing areas today are coal, education services, agriculture products, footwear companies, food retail firms, airlines, gas utilities and steel stocks. 
• On the downside, life health insurers, gold, paper products, auto manufacturers, asset mngt. firms, and Internet retail stocks were all taking a hit. 
• Crude oil extends slide after inventory data, dips below $70.
• The credit crisis is forcing many European firms valued at >$1.5B to end their publicly traded status, Bloomberg reports.
• The CBOE Volatility Index (a good indicator of the level of fear in the markets) hits a record high.
• The market continues to slide after the Philly Fed diffusion index fell to -37.5 in Oct. from +3.8 in Sept., its largest 1-month decline ever. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG) is up 49% on light volume, bouncing off a test of move lows.
• Encore Acquisition (NYSE:EAC) jumps 24% on Q3 operating results and authorization for the repurchase of an additional $40 million in stock.
• Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MIPI) is up 21%, basically trying to recover losses from Wednesday’s big decline.
• Deltek Inc. (Nasdaq:PROJ) announced preliminary results. Shares . . .

Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG), Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:ALDN) and Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:RJET) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (Nasdaq:JTX), CPI International Inc. (Nasdaq:CPII), Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:PGC), Renaissance Learning Inc. (Nasdaq:RLRN), Northrim BanCorp Inc. (Nasdaq:NRIM) and Zygo Corp. (Nasdaq:ZIGO).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening, powered by a decent corrective bounce in the wake of Wednesday’s epic collapse. Bargain hunters were back nibbling in stocks after this morning’s initial batch of non-manufacturing economic indicators came in relatively mild and didn’t serve up any stunners like Wednesday’s huge drop in retail sales. In addition to the tame economic data, Libor inter-bank lending rates slipped in European trading, which bolsters confidence that frozen credit lines and lending mistrust is thawing as governments around the world push liquidity into the system and guarantee loans. At 10:02 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 11.18, or 2.23%, at 513.28.

After wholesale prices (PPI) came in near the forecast Wednesday, consumer prices (CPI) were slightly better than projected, but it’s really no surprise that inflation fears have receded — after all, crude oil prices are at 13-month lows and commodities in general are at the lowest level in three years. More importantly, the weekly unemployment claims release was better than feared, with 461,000 people filing for unemployment insurance in the latest week, down from the forecast of 470,000. Still, 461,000 is a very big number historically and the four-week moving average on claims is still at a seven-year peak. Analytically, there is a case to be made that jobs data will continue to look awful for some time, but will be a lagging element on the recovery story. That argument will gain favor from investors looking for last week’s lows to be a major turning point for the stock market.

However, stock index futures started to trim away gains after a horrendous industrial production report came out just ahead of the opening at 9:15 a.m. ET. Output tumbled 2.8%, much worse than the forecast for a decline of 0.8% and the slide represented the biggest decline in nearly 34 years. Hurricane Gustav and a strike at aircraft maker Boeing exaggerated the decline in output. Industrial production data seldom sparks a big move in the market nowadays, and clearly investors were looking at other factors this morning if they were able to shrug off this weak report in favor of the relatively painless inflation and jobs reports earlier this morning. The Dow and S&P 500 slipped back into the red briefly after the Philly Fed survey came out well below the forecast, mirroring sobering news on the manufacturing front that we’ve . . .

Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG), Westport Innovations Inc. (Nasdaq:WPRT) and Superior Bancorp (Nasdaq:SUPR) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Heritage Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:HFWA), BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:BBX), Bank of the Ozarks Inc. (Nasdaq:OZRK), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), LSB Corp. (Nasdaq:LSBX) and Gladstone Commerical REIT (Nasdaq:GOOD).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

NB&T Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:NBTF), Elbit Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq:EMITF) and Silicon Graphics Inc. (Nasdaq:SGIC) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: TechTarget Inc. (Nasdaq:TTGT), Cantel Medical Corp. (Nasdaq:CMN), Alliance Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:ALLB), Perfumania Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:PERF), Superior Uniform Group Inc. (Nasdaq:SGC) and Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Isramco Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRL), Silicon Graphics Inc. (Nasdaq:SGIC) and Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: John B  San Filippo & Son (Nasdaq:JBSS), OmniVision Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:OVTI), NuStar GP Holdings LLC. (Nasdaq:NSH), Nashua Corp. (Nasdaq:NSHA), MAKO Surgical Corp. (Nasdaq:MAKO) and NewBridge Bancorp (Nasdaq:NBBC).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks edged lower on the opening, pulled down by a big rally in crude oil futures and a mixed bag on this morning’s batch of economic data. At 9:59 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 3.91, or 0.52%, at 743.88.

The Michigan sentiment survey came in at 63.0, which was just a tad above the forecast of 62. There was very little stock market response to the Michigan number. The Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Survey topped the forecast in a big way, coming in at 57.9, compared with the projection of 50.0. The stock market rallied off early lows after the stronger-than-expected number, but the bounce off those lows had very little staying power.

Earlier, the personal income report came in below expectations, with the headline figure down 0.7%, compared with expectations for a flat reading. Spending patterns also tailed off as the impact of government stimulus checks faded and the inflation component of the report (the year-over-year PCE price index) was at the highest point in 17 years.

Crude oil prices shot higher into the stock market opening, climbing some $3 a barrel back above $118 as the market braced for Gustav to slam into the Louisiana coast sometime within the next four days. The killer storm ripped through Caribbean, taking nearly 70 lives in the process, and has already prompted a shutdown of energy platforms in the Gulf ahead of the holiday weekend.

Speaking of the holiday, cash trading on stocks will hold normal hours today ahead of Monday’s holiday, but foreign exchange and interest rate futures will close early today at 1:00 p.m. ET, which could start to further taper off volume this afternoon.

The U.S. dollar was weak this morning, down about 0.8% against the yen and about 0.2% versus the euro, which will act as a positive for commodity markets and a negative for equities.

Tech stocks were struggling this morning, with the second-largest PC . . .

FirstFed Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:FED), Zale Corp. (Nasdaq:ZLC) and Origin Agritech Ltd. (Nasdaq:SEED) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG), Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:ALXA), US Airways Group Inc. (Nasdaq:LCC), Isramco Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRL), Midwest Banc Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:MBHI) and MGIC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq:MTG).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks edged lower in relatively calm trading, as a recovery bounce in crude oil on the stock market opening took some of the air out of the morning bullish side of things. At 10:01 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 4.15, or 0.55%, at 749.22.

Crude oil prices rallied about $1 dollar a barrel back above $115, supported by concerns that the conflict in Georgia could clip supplies that move through the Caspian region. Also, the U.S. dollar was off slightly this morning, which provided some support to oversold commodity markets — including energy. Grains prices were called higher this morning, and several physical markets were in positive territory early today. The Hershey Co. (NYSE:HSY) was down some 8% early today after saying they would raise candy prices 10% to combat higher raw commodities input costs.

Asian equity markets were primarily lower overnight, which was also something of a concern for U.S. stock market traders. China equities continue to slump, apparently not getting any immediate upside bump from the Olympics. China stocks were off 5.4% overnight, while Hong Kong was down 1%, Taiwan down 2.7% and Singapore down 0.7%. One rosy spot was the Pakistan market, which rallied 4.4% on news that President Musharraf had resigned.

Most traders were looking for thin volume this week amid the holiday season in Europe and in the United States, so it might take some kind of surprise to jolt equities out of a sleepy mood.

Broad market sectors on the rise this morning were dominated by commodity themes, with coal, metals, steel, gold, oil exploration, industrial gases, integrated oil and oil drillers all on the upside. On the downside, thrifts and mortgage finance firms were taking a beating following an article in Barron’s over the weekend saying that the Treasury Department would recapitalize the firms using taxpayer funds, which could devalue current investor holdings. Other sectors struggling early included . . .

Targanta Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq:TARG) shares shot up more than 21% after the company announced Thursday it was seeking approval for marketing a broad-spectrum antibiotic in the European Union. The Cambridge, Mass.-based biopharmaceutical company said it is hoping to have the intravenous oritavancin treatment available in the EU by late 2009. The European Medicines Agency accepted the antibiotic, which the company said is effective in treating complex skin and soft tissue infections, for review after the medicine had undergone 19 clinical trials. Shares of Targanta were up 21.9% Thursday at $6.95 apiece.

After plunging out of the gate this morning, small-cap stocks continue to bleed mid-session, besieged by a continued troubling outlook for financials, disappointing guidance by tech heavyweights, a lackluster outlook for the auto sector and a slowing economy —  all of which sparked concern for suppressed corporate earnings for the near foreseeable future.

At 1:19 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 16.70, or 2.33%, to 699.60, tumbling below a two-month low on April 22. The Dow skidded 241.58, or 2.05%, to reach a low for the year of 11,570.25, while the Nasdaq swooned 61.92, or 2.58%, to 2339.34.

Stocks are under pressure after Goldman Sachs downgraded the brokerage sector to “neutral” from “attractive,” citing a lack of positive catalysts going forward and eroding fundamentals. Goldman claims that investors are focusing more than needed on the possibility of another major bank collapse. The investment bank also downgraded Dow component Citigroup (NYSE:C) to “sell,” pushing the bank down 5% midday. Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) shares were off 4%, joining the weakness seen in financial shares after the opening.

Fresh concerns surrounding the health of the auto industry have also surfaced after Goldman Sachs lowered its rating on General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) to “sell” from “neutral,” sending shares sinking 10% mid-session.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq has been battered the most today, dragged down by disappointing guidance from tech juggernauts Research in Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM) and Oracle Corp. (Nasdaq:ORCL) Oracle posted solid quarterly results, but provided a cautious outlook for the next quarter. Shares for the third-largest software maker were off 3% early. Rim was downgraded by JMP Securities to market perform from market out perform today The blackberry maker said its revenue and earnings doubled, but issued a cautioned that earnings could come under pressure as it ramps up spending.

In economic news, GDP for the first quarter was upwardly revised to 1%, as expected. The figure is dated as we near the end of the second quarter, but does indicate that the economy did not slide into negative growth to start 2008. Weekly claims figures rose to 384,000 in the latest week, which was slightly above the forecast. Existing home sales clocked in better than expected at plus 2%, with an annual . . .

Community Bankshares, Inc. (AMEX:SCB), Photon Dynamics, Inc. (Nasdaq:PHTN) and AspenBio Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:APPY) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG), America's Car-Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT), Oneida Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:ONFC), Ener1, Inc. (AMEX:HEV), and Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABAT).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

LCA Vision Inc (Nasdaq:LCAV), City Bank (Nasdaq:CTBK) and Targanta Therapeutics Corp (Nasdaq:TARG) are among the new 52-week lows in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Blue Phoenix Solutions (Nasdaq:BPHX), Mothers Work Inc (Nasdaq:MWRK), Atlantic Coast Federal Corp (Nasdaq:ACFC), Accuride Corp (Nasdaq:ACW), Penford Corp (Nasdaq:PENX) and Provident Financial Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:PROV).

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

LCA Vision Inc (Nasdaq:LCAV), PowerSecure International Inc (Nasdaq:POWR) and Targanta Therapeutics Corp (Nasdaq:TARG) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Blue Phoenix Solutions (Nasdaq:BPHX), Naugatuck Valley Financial Corp (Nasdaq:NVSL), Monroe Bancorp (Nasdaq:MROE), Southern Cmnty Finl Corp (Nasdaq:SCMF), HEICO Corp (Nasdaq:HEI) and Rex Stores Corp (Nasdaq:RSC).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks shot higher Thursday, lifted by a strong performance for the U.S. dollar, sinking energy prices and renewed enthusiasm for technology and retail shares. At the close, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) rose 13.57, or 1.89%, to 729.75, the highest daily close since Feb. 3, the second-highest close since Jan. 3, and the fourth-highest close of the year.

The greenback climbed to the highest point against the euro since March 25, and was flirting with the highest daily close versus the yen since late February. A recovery in the dollar would suggest that the U.S. economy may have endured the worst of the slowdown, and would also increase purchasing power of foreign goods. There is also some thought that a resurgence in the dollar could trigger a massive unwinding of short dollar/long energy plays that could ignite a wave of buyers back into equities.

Clearly, the energy market was a source of enthusiasm for stock market bulls Thursday, as crude oil prices slumped to 112.55, down nearly 6% from the peak seen earlier this week as rising inventory and a strong dollar take a toll on crude values. Within the energy sector, investors were chilly to earnings from group leader Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XON), whose shares slipped about 3.4%.

Within broad market sectors, pretty much anything tied to energy or commodities was soft; with gas, oil and gold shares all down. Big losses were also seen in metals and mining stocks, which were off almost 5%. On the plus side, education services . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) fell for the first time this week on news of an unexpected decline in February orders for durable goods. The small-cap index lost 3.16 points, or 0.45%, to 702.11. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was off 109.74 points, or 0.88%, to 12,422.86.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has shed 8.34%, while the Dow is down 6.35% and the S&P 500 has decreased 8.66%.

Stocks small and large opened in negative territory and never looked up on news before the start of trading that orders for manufactured durable goods fell 1.7% in February, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Economists were . . .