Tag - VLTR

Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX), Repligen Corp. (Nasdaq:RGEN) and Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Seattle Genetics (Nasdaq:SGEN), Bankrate Inc. (Nasdaq:RATE), TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. (Nasdaq:TQNT), PDL BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq:PDLI), Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR) and ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CKSW).

Small-cap stocks edged higher as earnings were a little better than feared (though still weak overall) and as investors are hoping for quick action from the Treasury Department now that the confirmation of Obama’s new Treasury leader has been wrapped up. However, soft readings on consumer confidence appeared to stall buying interest. Some of today’s small-cap gainers were CV Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CVTX), Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR) and Parexel International Corp. (Nasdaq:PRXL).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The chart picture for small caps shows that the market is trapped in a mini-range loosely defined by the inauguration day collapse.  
• Copper took a 5% nosedive in overseas trading, which is a troubling sign for the economy as copper is a key ingredient in building.  
• On Thursday, new home sales data will help provide further information about the housing market.  
• The Case-Shiller Home Price Index fell 2.2% in November from the previous month and was down 18.2% from year-ago levels. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• CV Therapeutics Inc. rose 41% on news that the biotech company will be purchased for $16 a share, or $1 billion, by Japanese firm Astellas Pharma Inc. See (Nasdaq:CVTX).
• Volterra Semiconductor Corp. rose 21% after reporting earnings. See (Nasdaq:VLTR).
• Parexel International Corp. rose 16% as the biopharma firm gapped higher following earnings news. See (Nasdaq:PRXL).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Whiting Petroleum Corp. tumbled 15% as the gas company announced plans for a public offering of 8 million shares of common stock. See (NYSE:WLL). 

Small-cap stocks edged higher as earnings were a little better than feared (though still weak overall) and as investors are hoping for quick action from the Treasury Department now that the confirmation of Obama’s new Treasury leader has been wrapped up. However, soft readings on consumer confidence appeared to stall buying interest. At 10:05 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 2.34, or 0.52%, at 452.40.

The consumer confidence report came in at 37.7, below the forecast of 39, and which pulled equity markets slightly off the early highs. Earlier today, the Case-Shiller Home Price Index fell 2.2% in November from the previous month and was down 18.2% from year-ago levels, which marks a record decline in home values. The month-over-month decline was slightly worse than forecast, but the stock index futures seemed to weather the data well ahead of the opening. Although this data series looks gloomy, Monday’s existing home sales report came in above expectations and helped fuel a rise in equities. On Thursday, new home sales data will help provide further information about the housing market.

Some of the early rise in equities was tied to optimism that the Treasury Department will now act quickly to bolster bank balance sheets and fuel lending now that Timothy Geithner has been confirmed to the top post at the Treasury.

Earnings news this morning was mixed, with Texas Instruments Inc. (NYSE:TXI) missing the forecast, but the stock was holding steady shortly after the opening. Du Pont and Co. (NYSE:DD) lowered the 2009 outlook and was off about 1% this morning, while Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) basically met the forecast, but was down 5%. On the upside, United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) released strong results and rose 7%.

Crude oil futures fell about $2 a barrel shortly after the opening, pulled down by worries about growing inventories ahead of the weekly stockpile tally from the American Petroleum Institute this afternoon and the Energy Information Association on Wednesday. Oil stocks were a strong performer Monday despite sloppy . . .

Stewart Enterprises Inc (Nasdaq:STEI), Arthrocare Corp (Nasdaq:ARTC) and Volterra Semiconductor Corp (Nasdaq:VLTR) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Industrial Distribution Group Inc (Nasdaq:IDGR), SemGroup Energy Partners LP (Nasdaq:SGLP), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF), CKX Inc (Nasdaq:CKXE), Ceragon Networks Ltd (Nasdaq:CRNT) and Crocs Inc (Nasdaq:CROX).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Acme Packet Inc. (Nasdaq:APKT), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON) and ARYx Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ARYX) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Pyramid Oil Company (AMEX:PDO), Gushan Environmental Energy Limited (NYSE:GU), Security Bank Corp. (Nasdaq:SBKC), ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Limited (Nasdaq:CXSP), Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR) and Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Datascope Corp (Nasdaq:DSCP), Aehr Test Systems (Nasdaq:AEHR) and American Spectrum Realty Inc (Nasdaq:AQQ) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

STEC Inc (Nasdaq:STEC), Cytori Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:CYTX) and Volterra Semiconductor Corp (Nasdaq:VLTR) are also among the new 52-week highs.

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

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) took a hit Tuesday, tumbling 14.29, or 1.99%, to 703.71. Through much of the afternoon the index was flirting with losses beyond 2.5%, which has only happened eight times this year. Small caps bore the brunt of investor disdain, dropping more than one percentage point in excess of the Dow or S&P 500.

The sharp decline in small-cap versus large-cap issues was fueled by several factors, including concerns that small-cap banks will struggle even more so than large-cap banks through this credit crunch, as large banks have an easier time raising capital, said Nick Kalivas, vice president of financial research with MF Global, in an email.

In addition, Kalivas said that a weak dollar was positive for large caps over small caps because the larger companies tend to have more exposure to overseas customers, and a weak dollar makes their goods more attractively priced to foreign customers.

Furthermore, Kalivas said that earnings within the small-cap sector suffered relative to large caps. “Big losses were seen in AXE, OMCL and ASTE, which hurt small . . .

Stocks are continuing to crumble midday after crude oil and the greenback hit records. Lackluster outlooks from juggernauts Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) and DuPont (NYSE:DD) also weighed down the market.

At 1:28 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) toppled 17.6 points, or 2.45%, to 700.04, while the Dow sunk 137.11 points, or 1.07%, to a level of 12,687.91.

Crude oil climbed to an intraday record of $120 a barrel, as the dollar hit a new low against the euro. The greenback climbed to $1.60 per euro for the first time after the European Central Bank signaled it will not slash interest rates due to inflation concerns Oil also spiked on a Nigerian supply disruption.

“Over the last 24 hours, four ECB speakers state that they’re concerned about inflation — one going as far as to say that they’re considering raising rates every month going forward,” Andy Busch, BMO Capital Markets global ethics strategist said. “This is part of why the U.S. dollar has come under so much pressure from the euro.”

In economic news, the National Association of Realtors said this morning that existing-home sales slid 2% in the month of March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.93 million from a level of 5.03 million in February. The sales number was . . .

Transcat, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRNS), Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR) and Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Zoran Corp. (Nasdaq:ZRAN), Mexco Energy Corp. (AMEX:MXC) and Twin Disc, Inc. (Nasdaq:TWIN) are also among the top small-cap percentage gainers.

Here are Tuesday's biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks opened lower, and at 10:01 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 9.43, or 1.31%, at 708.57. Small-cap issues paced the early slump in U.S. equities, as the Dow was only off about 0.6%.

The 10:00 a.m. ET release of Existing Home Sales data was on target with analyst forecasts and had very little immediate impact on the market.

The home sales was the first economic release so far this week, and given a dearth of economic data, the market has been focused on the never-ending run of quarterly earnings releases. From afar, the numbers haven’t really looked that great, but soft returns were expected, and so far the market is higher into the initial earnings push.

The latest batch of big-name earnings releases into today’s action served up a mixed bag, with Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) missing the forecast, while DuPont (NYSE:DD) beat the estimate. Texas Instruments was under selling pressure this morning, last down 4% after the chipmaker said the soft economy and sluggish demand for cell phones would hurt second-quarter results. DuPont’s strong earnings were fueled by agriculture products and overseas demand.

Commodity markets appear to be on a modest roll today, which could provide a boost to commodity-linked stocks if the trend remains in play throughout the session. Crude oil made new highs overnight and remains on a bid, lifted by civil unrest in producing state Nigeria, a refinery strike in Scotland and a Japanese tanker hit by rocket fire off the coast of Yemen. Gold and grains are also expected to hit the ground running in U.S. trading action this morning.

Financial shares in Europe were hit hard overnight, with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays down in the 4% range as those banks navigate through . . .

Shares of Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR) are leaping in pre-market trading after the provider of analog and mixed-signal power management semiconductors reported first-quarter results after Monday’s close that beat the consensus on Wall Street. The small cap attributed results to increased activity in each of its target markets.

Shares leaped 19%, or $2.28, to $14.50 ahead of the bell. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Volterra Semiconductor, click VLTR. 

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:

• Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR), up 19% on news that its first-quarter revenues and earnings beat analysts’ estimates.
• BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:BMTI), up 13% on news that the FDA confirmed the status of the company’s study for the treatment of foot and ankle fusions.
• DexCom, Inc. (Nasdaq:DXCM), up 9%.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Hansen Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:HNSN), down 3%.
• China Finance Online Co. Ltd. (Nasdaq:JRJC), down 1%.
• Encore Wire Corp. (Nasdaq:WIRE), down 1%. 

Omnicell, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMCL), Zoran Corp. (Nasdaq:ZRAN) and TomoTherapy Inc. (Nasdaq:TOMO) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:ALDN), Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR) and AgFeed Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) are also among the most actively traded small-cap companies in pre-market trading.

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

Ambassadors Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: EPAX), Rocky Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCKY) and hi/fn, inc. (Nasdaq: HIFN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are higher and the small-cap index will open in positive territory on news of good earnings from major players.

Wall Street is in a bullish mood this morning, following news after the close on Monday that Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) saw a sharp increase in third-quarter revenue, easily beating analysts’ projections.

Also contributing is credit card issuer American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP), which reported this morning that third-quarter profit rose 10% while revenue added 11%.

Among small-cap companies, Cambridge, Mass.-based Art Technology Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTG) announced quarterly revenue results just a hair above Wall Street’s forecast.

With little on the economic front, earnings news is set to dominate the headlines this morning.

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:

• China GrenTech Corporation Ltd. (GRRF), up 16% on news of a new order.
• Phoenix Technologies Ltd. (PTEC), up 12% on news of a solid fourth quarter.
• China Precision Steel Inc. (CPSL), up 3%.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Ultra Clean Holdings Inc. (UCTT), down 8% on news third-quarter profit missed expectations.
• LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS), down 7%.
• Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (VLTR) down 9% on news of a decline in third-quarter earnings.

PLX Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLXT), Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. (Nasdaq: LEND) and Marten Transport, Ltd (Nasdaq: MRTN) are the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

The Russell 2000 index is falling along with the other major American indices as a U.S. Federal Reserve official reiterates concerns of inflation.

At 10:16 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 was down 8.23 points, or 0.97 percent, to 840.02. Dow Jones Industrial Average had lost 83.97 points, or 0.62 percent, to 13,511.67.

Sandra Pianalto, President of the Fed Bank of Cleveland, said that the U.S. central bank must not be “complacent” about inflation, according to news reports this morning. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Tuesday that inflation remains a primary concern even though it’s expected to moderate in the coming months.

Investors interpret both remarks as an indication that a cut in the federal funds rate, which currently stands at 5.25%, is unlikely.

The following were the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million:

Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq: VLTR) expects net revenue for the second quarter ending June 30, 2007 to be lower than previously forecasted, between $18.5 million to $19.5 million, and a net loss of between $0.04 per share and $0.07, the Fremont, Calif.-based company said after Tuesday’s close.  Analysts were looking for earnings of $0.11 per share.  The stock is down $1.33, or 9%, to $14.07.

Shares of Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMCI) are rising following news after Tuesday’s close that the San Jose-based server solutions company has launched a new product line called SuperBlade at an expo in Taipei, Taiwan.

Acorda Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) announced it is beginning the third clinical trial phase of its multiple sclerosis drug Fampridine-SR.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAD) received a bullish mention from MSNBC pundit Jim Cramer Tuesday night.

Taleo Corp. (Nasdaq: TLEO) announced an offering of about 3.1 million shares of common stock priced at $19.85 per share.

After Tuesday’s closing bell, Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq: VLTR) warned second quarter sales are going to be between $18.5 million and $19.5 million, which is lower than its previous guidance.

Neurochem Inc. (Nasdaq: NRMX) announced it obtained written consent from shareholders for the private placement of $80 million in notes.

The following are the most actively traded companies in Wednesday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million:

The following companies were making news in after-hours trading Tuesday:

Shares of Volterra Semiconductor Corporation (Nasdaq: VLTR) were lower in after-hours trading after the company lowered guidance for the second quarter ending June 30. The Fremont, Calif.-based provider of semiconductors said revenues in the second quarter now are estimated to fall between $18.5 million to $19.5 million. On a non-GAAP basis, the company forecast a loss per share of $0.04 to a loss of $0.07. Analysts had expected revenues at $20.47 million and they'd seen the company earning $0.11 in the second quarter. In after-hourse trading shares of Volterra were $0.54 higher at $14.61, after closing $1.33 lower in the regular trading session. Volterra said the updated guidance stemmed from a process defect with one of the company's vendors. The problem caused the company to recall $2.0 million to $3.0 million of product and will result in a charge to earnings of $3.0 million to $4.0 million in the second quarter. Volterra indicated it has identified the reason for the defect and has worked with its vendor to correct the process.

Angeion Corporation (Nasdaq: ANGN) said net income in the second quarter ended April 30 was $0.11 per diluted share, up from $0.05 in the prior year period. Revenues were $10.0 million, up strongly from $7.2 million in the second quarter of 2006. The St. Paul, Minn.-based company recorded double-digit year-over-year revenue growth for the twelfth consecutive quarter. There were no analyst estimates. Shares of Angeion were virtually unchanged in after-hours trading, compared with the close of $10.84. The health care company develops, manufactures and sells non-invasive cardiorespiratory diagnostic systems.

Navarre Corporation (Nasdaq: NAVR) said its fourth quarter ended March 31 saw revenues of $168.6 million, down from $171.9 million in the same period a year ago but above analysts' forecasts at $162.79 million. Net loss per diluted share for the quarter was $0.06, down from earnings of $0.03 per share in the prior year fourth quarter and below the average analyst estimate for earnings of $0.06. The Minneapolis, Minn.-based publisher of digital home entertainment and multimedia products also guided on fiscal 2008, saying it anticipates consolidated net sales between $670 million and $690 million, versus 2007's sales of about $648 million. Net income of $9.0 million to $10.0 million is expected. Shares of Navarre were unchanged in after-hours trading at $3.85.

Shares of Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq: VLTR) surged on unusually heavy volume this morning after releasing second-quarter guidance and first-quarter earnings late Monday that met analysts estimates on a non-GAAP basis.
 
The Fremont, Calif.-based company late Monday posted GAAP net income of $400,000, or $0.01 per share, on revenue of $17.6 million for the quarter ended March 31. On a non-GAAP basis, net income totaled $1.8 million, or $0.07 per share, for the quarter.

Thirteen analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected earnings per share of $0.07 on revenue of $17.5 million.

Volterra President and CEO Jeff Staszak said that first quarter revenue was impacted by “certain customer inventory issues.”