Tag - Abfs

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), Computer Programs And Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CPSI) and TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq:TIVO) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq:SMTC), Cabot Microelectronics Corp. (Nasdaq:CCMP), HMS Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:HMSY), Imperial Sugar Co. (Nasdaq:IPSU), Arkansas Best Corp. (Nasdaq:ABFS) and Focus Media Holding Ltd. (Nasdaq:FMCN).

Small-cap stocks pushed lower on the opening, pressured by a sloppy batch of earnings reports this morning and another weak slate of economic reports that threatens to break a four-day winning streak for the market. Some of today’s small-cap gainers were POZEN (Nasdaq:POZN), OSI Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OSIS) and Sepracor (Nasdaq:SEPR).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Crude oil prices have been closely tethered to equities, and today’s rugged economic data reinforces the demand difficulties facing energy companies.   Crude oil prices were on the defensive this morning, with futures off some $1.60 a barrel into the stock market open.  
• The stock market appeared to extend the morning slide after the dreary home sales report.  
• New home sales fell off a cliff today, sinking 14.7% to an annual rate of 331,000 units, way below the forecast of 400,000.  

Small Cap Gainers:

• POZEN informed by FDA that endoscopic gastric ulcer incidence continues to be an acceptable primary endpoint; shares climb 17% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:POZN). 
• OSI Systems Inc. rose 16% as the electronics system designer received an earnings lift. See (Nasdaq:OSIS).  
• Sepracor rises 10% in pre-market to cut workforce despite rise in profit. See (Nasdaq:SEPR)

Small Cap Losers:

• Banner Corp. fell 15%, gapping lower as the bank holding company announced quarterly results. See (Nasdaq:BANR).  
• Oshkosh Corp. fell 20% as the specialty equipment maker posted a quarterly loss and announced job cuts. See (NYSE:OSK).  
• Arkansas Best swings to loss on 15% lower revenue; stock slides 11% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:ABFS).  
• DryShips in breach of some loan covenants; shares tumbles over 26% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:DRYS). 

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN) and POZEN Inc. (Nasdaq:POZN) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Cavium Networks Inc. (Nasdaq:CAVM), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Arkansas Best Corp. (Nasdaq:ABFS), Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI) and Paragon Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:PRGN).

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI) and AsiaInfo Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:ASIA) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Arkansas Best Corp. (Nasdaq:ABFS), YRC Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:YRCW), Allos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTH), Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:QCOR), Almost Family Inc. (Nasdaq:AFAM) and PetMed Express Inc. (Nasdaq:PETS).

Preferred Bank (Nasdaq:PFBC), Anadigics Inc (Nasdaq:ANAD) and Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq:SNIC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Wavecom (Nasdaq:WVCM), Arkansas Best Corp (Nasdaq:ABFS), First Place Financial Corp Ohio (Nasdaq:FPFC), Prestige Brands Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:PBH), SeaBright Insurance Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:SEAB) and FormFactor Inc (Nasdaq:FORM).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Argan Inc (Nasdaq:AGX), Diamond Foods Inc (Nasdaq:DMND) and Parlux Fragrances Inc (Nasdaq:PARL) are among the new 52-week highs in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

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

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) lost ground for the second day in a row as financial concerns extinguished an early rally. The small-cap index fell 4.12 points, or 0.59%, to 688.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) surrendered 171.44 points, or 1.38%, to 12,207.17.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 10.02%, while the Dow has let go 7.97% and the S&P 500 has shed 9.38%.

Small-cap stocks began the day in the green but lost steam midway through the session as financial concerns spooked investors.

The bulls were poised to act following news after the close on Thursday that Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker saw its profit jump 79% to $4.71 billion, or $0.50 per share, compared with $2.63 billion, or $0.26 per share, a year earlier. Analysts were calling for earnings of $0.46 per share.

Similarly, Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced before the start of trading that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 11% to $975 million, or $1.50 per share, compared with a net income of $882 million, or $1.32 per share, a year earlier.

The maker of earth-moving equipment attributed the improvement to strong global economic growth, but warned that it expects domestic economic growth to be “anemic,” according to a statement by CEO Jim Owens.