Tag - Ael

Zion Oil and Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:ZN), Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:OPTR) and Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq:AMED) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: American Italian Pasta Co. (Nasdaq:AIPC), Answers Corp. (Nasdaq:ANSW), Cepheid (Nasdaq:CPHD), American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. (Nasdaq:AEL), Tredegar Corp. (Nasdaq:TG) and Sport Supply Group Inc. (Nasdaq:RBI).

Small-cap stocks extended the morning slide into midday trading, as pressure from a weak economy continues to take a toll on commodity, retail and financial stocks, overshadowing even aggressive rate cuts out of Europe overnight. Today’s small-cap gainers are Lumber Liquidators' (NYSE:LL), Global Cash Access (NYSE:GCA) and American Equity's (NYSE:AEL).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Thomson-Reuters October same-store sales index was off 0.7%, and they pegged today’s retail returns as the worst monthly results in a decade.  
• Energy exporters that depend on demand from big consumers were taking a beating, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund down 5.5%. 
• The IMF said that developed economies were on track for a full-year contraction for the first time since World War II.  
• The malaise continued to bruise commodity markets, with crude oil prices tumbling toward $60 a barrel, or the lowest prices since March.  
• The Russell 2000 is down 2% in midday trading.  

Small Cap Gainers:

• Lumber Liquidators' income up 48% in Q3; shares soar 18%. See (NYSE:LL). 
•  Global Cash Access Holdings reports successful Q3 results; shares climb 25%. See (NYSE:GCA).  
• American Equity's Q3 2008 operating income increases 41%; shares pop over 33%. See (NYSE:AEL).   
• Global Crossing Ltd. rallied 19% as the IP solutions provider also got an earnings-related lift. See (Nasdaq:GLBC).
• Simcere Pharmaceutical Group reports rise in Q3 profit, reaffirms FY08guidance. Shares up 18%. See (NYSE:SCR).  

Small Cap Losers:

• LandAmerica dives 33% on delayed third-quarter earnings. See (NYSE:LFG).
• Georgia Gulf Corporation slips to loss in Q3; shares down 28%. See (NYSE:GGC).  
• SRA International down 26% on Cowen & Co. downgrade. See (NYSE:SRX).  
• Playboy Enterprises sees sharp ad sales drop, shares tumble 22%. See (NYSE:PLA).  

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. (Nasdaq:AEL), Crosstex Energy LP (Nasdaq:XTEX) and Crosstex Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:XTXI) are among the new 52-week lows in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Commercial Vehicle Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CVGI), MI Developments Inc. (Nasdaq:MIM), Culp Inc. (Nasdaq:CFI), PHH Corp. (Nasdaq:PHH), Secure America Acquisition Units (Nasdaq:HLD.U) and Macatawa Bank Corp. (Nasdaq:MCBC).

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