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Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), Reddy Ice Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:FRZ) and LCA Vision Inc. (Nasdaq:LCAV) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Alaska Air Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ALK), Sangamo Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq:SGMO), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), SmartHeat Inc. (Nasdaq:HEAT), Media General Inc. (Nasdaq:MEG) and Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTL).

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).

AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAG), Protection One Inc. (Nasdaq:PONE) and Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:OPTR) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Global Sources Ltd. (Nasdaq:GSOL), Patriot Coal Corp. (Nasdaq:PCX), Transcat Inc. (Nasdaq:TRNS), Ameris Bancorp (Nasdaq:ABCB), Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTL) and Cadence Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:CADE).

Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:RVSB), JDA Software Group Inc. (Nasdaq:JDAS) and Culp Inc. (Nasdaq:CFI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Oceanfreight Inc. (Nasdaq:OCNF), optionsXpress Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:OXPS), Adams Resources & Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:AE), Quest Energy Partners L P (Nasdaq:QELP), Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTL) and Interval Leisure Group Inc. (Nasdaq:IILG).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks staged an impressive recovery rally Tuesday afternoon, bouncing back from three-month lows and reversing a 15-handle collapse as vehicle sales came in better than feared, and crude oil prices slipped back off the intraday highs. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 1.93, or 0.28%, at 691.59.

Finding a silver lining in car sales from domestic icons General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) and Ford (NYSE:F) seems like a stretch when one considers GM sales were off 18.5% and Ford’s sales collapsed 28%, but GM did manage to retain its title as the car sales king when many were predicting that Toyota would steal the crown away for the first time in history. GM shares stormed back 10% at one point today before retreating in the final minutes of trading. GM stock has been falling off a cliff of late, reaching 54-year lows Monday. Even Ford managed to climb back briefly into the green before settling down after plunging to 17-year lows in the morning.

It’s worth noting that volume today was brisk in cash and derivatives markets, even though this was expected to be a slow march toward a holiday-shortened week. Apparently the dramatic slide into bear market territory for small caps brought some of the bulls out of slumber and clearly attracted some bears who either couldn’t hang on to losing trades anymore, or who couldn’t resist riding the wave lower.

Despite the impressive recovery bounce off the lows, some market watchers remain unconvinced that a major low is at hand. “I think the market is far, far away from the bottom still. We haven’t felt enough pain yet, inflation is understated and we could see the Russell slide another 20% over the next 18 months if we don’t get a turnaround in this economic news and on the inflation front,” Dominic . . .

Banner Corp (Nasdaq:BANR), Frontier Finl Corp (Nasdaq:FTBK) and Ocwen Financial Corp (Nasdaq:OCN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Cytori Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:CYTX), Winnebago Industries Inc (Nasdaq:WGO), Aristotle Corp (Nasdaq:ARTL), Beach First National Bank (SC) (Nasdaq:BFNB), INX Inc (Nasdaq:INXI) and Myers Industries Inc (Nasdaq:MYE).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small caps declined after the opening, made a brief resurgence during the second hour of regular trading but have continued their descent in the afternoon. Concerns about the financial sector and FedEx Corp.’s (NYSE:FDX) warning that low demand and high fuel costs will impact profits kept investors gloomy. At 1:39 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was off 9.03, or 1.23%, at 727.54.

Regional banks are taking a beating, with Marshall & Iisley Corp. (NYSE:MI) sinking 4% to a new 52-week low on analyst downgrades while Zions Bancorporation (Nasdaq:ZION) also set a fresh 52-week low, losing about 3%. Unfortunately, the news remains depressing for banks and other financial stocks, with Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq:FITB) losing 14% during the afternoon session. Within the financial arena, large-cap futures and commodities broker MF Global (NYSE:MF) is plunging some 38% after the Bermuda-based firm said revenues were below the forecast and news that the company will sell convertible securities to raise capital and . . .

Small-cap stocks pressed lower on the opening as a fresh batch of earnings failed to impress investors in the aftermath of Monday’s rout on financial stocks and as crude oil drifted up to $135 dollars a barrel. At 10:00 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was off 5.56, or 0.76%, at 731.01.

Regional banks were hammered Monday, with Marshall & Iisley Corp. (NYSE:MI) sinking 5% to 52-week lows on analyst downgrades while Zions Bancorporation (Nasdaq:ZION) also set 52-week lows, losing about 10%. Unfortunately, the news remains gloomy for banks and other financial stocks, with Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq:FITB) shedding 16% shortly after today’s opening. Within the financial arena, large-cap futures and commodities broker MF Global (NYSE:MF) tumbled 22% as the firm said revenues were below the forecast and news that the company will sell convertible securities to raise capital and pay down debt.

The “headline” financial stock coming into today’s action was Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), which reported quarterly results that were slightly above the forecast. However, the firm was still pulled into the red, down about 6% in early trading.

Outside of the financial world, FedEx (NYSE:FDX) earnings came in below the forecast, and their outlook for 2009 was dreadfully in line with surging energy costs that are hurting results for the package courier. When the FedEx news came out before the opening, it sparked about a three handle additional decline in large-cap S&P 500 futures.

Speaking of surging energy, crude oil prices climbed back to the $135 dollar a barrel level ahead of the stock market opening on concerns about a potential strike in Nigeria that could crimp output. Crude oil pulled back toward $134 dollars, but should gather direction for the day from the latest stocks data, which will come out . . .

Chindex International Inc (Nasdaq:CHDX), National CineMedia Inc (Nasdaq:NCMI) and Electro-Optical Sciences Inc (Nasdaq:MELA) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: TOP Ships Inc (Nasdaq:TOPS), Mexco Energy Corp (Nasdaq:MXC), Abigail Adams National Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:AANB), TBS International Ltd (Nasdaq:TBSI), Aristotle Corp (Nasdaq:ARTL) and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:JAZZ).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks pushed lower again on Monday, pressured by sinking financial shares as yet another big name financial firm unveiled a capital raising effort. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed down 5.11, or 0.69%, at 735.26. Small caps were quite a bit weaker than large-cap stocks, narrowing the wide spreads that developed during last week’s volatile action.

For the last couple of weeks, Lehman Bros. (NYSE:LEH) has been the poster child for credit crunch concerns, and after days of speculation the firm finally announced plans to raise $6 billion in capital to shore up balance sheets. The Lehman news today sparked another bout of selling in the stock, which lost about 11% on the day. In addition, other large financial firms were pulled into the undertow, with JP Morgan (NYSE:JPM) down 7% and Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) off 4%. The credit concerns are not solely a large-cap issue. In fact, during most of the credit crisis, small caps have tended to suffer relative to large-caps on a perception that the large banks and other financial firms have easier access to credit lines.

Early today, small caps gathered some relief bids from a pullback in crude oil prices, which slipped some $4 dollars a barrel back below $135. Still, national pump prices popped above $4 dollars a gallon over the weekend, and it will take additional downside action in crude to spark further hope about consumer spending into the summer driving season. There also was a brief morning bid in stocks when the April pending home sales report came in up 6.3%, well above the forecast for a dip of 0.3%, but the data is for April numbers and had very little staying power with stocks.
 
Broad market sectors under selling pressure today were dominated by the financial theme. The biggest losers included thrifts and mortgage financial firms, diverse financial services shares, investment banking, regional banks and diversified banks. On the upside, aluminum, airlines, coal, oil and gas drillers were the top-performing stocks.

Small caps of note today included Rimage Corp. (Nasdaq:RIMG), which tumbled 21% as the firm lowered guidance for the second quarter. Maiden Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:MHLD) slipped 10% on heavy turnover following earnings news from Friday. Spreadtrum Communications (Nasdaq:SPRD) was off nearly 17% on an . . .

Though major stocks are trading generally higher, small caps have continued sliding in midday Monday trading. A drop in crude oil prices and a better-than-expected report on pending home sales for April was not enough to rally small-cap stocks. At 1:37 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 4.11, or 0.56%, at 736.26.

Crude oil prices were off more than $2 dollar a barrel into midday trading, slipping to $136.34 a barrel in recent action. The price decline is a welcome sign following Friday’s historic surge in energy prices and national pump prices breaking the $4 barrier over the weekend.

Small-cap investors were encouraged by a better-than-expected report on April pending home sales in early trading, but gains were lost shortly thereafter. Pending home sales rose 6.3% in April, according to the National Association of Realtors. Analysts anticipated a dip of 0.3%.

A big acquisition deal among large-cap insurers also boosted investor psychology. Willis Group Holdings (NYSE:WSH), the world’s third-largest insurance brokerage, announced a deal to buy rival Hilb, Rogal and Hobbs Co. (NYSE:HRH) for $1.7 billion, news that sent HRH shares soaring some 44% on the opening.

In Monday midday trading, the U.S. dollar was up against the yen and the euro. The greenback slid during last week’s trading as European central bankers talked up rate hikes after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke about a desire to strengthen the dollar. In recent trading against the euro, the U.S. dollar was up to $1.5637.

Andy Busch, BMO Capital Markets’ foreign exchange strategist, said investors are watching oil and food prices as inflation indicators.

“In normal business cycles when the unemployment goes up, we focus on indicators that provide us insight into spotting a turnaround like housing or auto sales or durable goods,” Busch said. “However in the financial markets, we're focusing more on inflation from energy and food than on whether the economy has bottomed. So things . . .

Bank of Commerce Holdings (Nasdaq:BOCH), Aristotle Corp (Nasdaq:ARTL) and SunLink Health Systems Inc (Nasdaq:SSY) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Internet Initiative Japan Inc (Nasdaq:IIJI), US Global Investors Inc (Nasdaq:GROW) and Johnson Outdoors Inc (Nasdaq:JOUT) are also among the biggest percentage gainers.

OMNI Energy Services Corp (Nasdaq:OMNI), Agria Corp (Nasdaq:GRO) and Converted Organics Inc (Nasdaq:COIN) were additionally included among the results.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks pushed higher Wednesday, underpinned by a slide in crude oil prices and a stabilization in the latest bout of credit crunch fears. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 4.71, or 0.64%, at 743.71, outperforming both the Dow and S&P 500, both of which struggled to close near steady levels.

Once again the small-cap market retreated after moving close to key long-term resistance at 750. That point marks a 50% Fibonacci retracement of the entire bear market collapse and has been a difficult spot for bulls to crack on the rally off the March lows. Looking at short-term charts for Thursday, resistance is at 745, 750 and 754, while support comes in at 735, 731 and 726.

Crude oil prices slumped more than $1 dollar per barrel Wednesday, dipping back below $124 as the weekly stocks report showed a build in gasoline inventories. In addition, the demand picture might be softening a bit as India and Malaysia decided to raise fuel prices, which could curb demand out of Asia. Airline stocks have had a mild sigh of relief this week on the pullback in energy prices, and the AMEX Airline Index climbed 3.31% Thursday. Small-cap stock US Airways (NYSE:LCC) gained about 3.6%, while UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) rallied about 5% as the major airline announced plans to reduce workforce and fleet numbers.

The market continues to closely watch developments on the financial front as talk has expanded again this week about debt write downs, and the need for some banks and brokerage firms to raise capital to shore up balance sheets. Much of the focus the last two sessions has centered on Lehman Bros. (NYSE:LEH), and the firm’s stock has been on a rollercoaster. Today, Lehman Bros. managed to rise about 2.5% to near 31.40, rallying back from intraday lows at 28.52.

Investors had a chance to trade off several different economic reports this morning. Overall, the data was a mixed bag and appeared to have little more than a short-term impact on trading decisions. To recap, the ADP private employment survey showed an unexpected increase in new jobs in May, which was a supportive element

Small caps edged higher Friday, underpinned on buying in the tech sector, benign economic data and by traders eager to put money back into stocks after a solid showing this week. Buying interest was curbed however, from those willing to book month-end profits and by lingering concerns about lofty energy and commodity prices. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) finished out the day up 2.73, or 0.37%, at 748.28.

For the month of May, the Russell rose 4.5%, climbing to the highest monthly close since December. Small caps trounced many of the large-cap index products this month. The Dow was actually down 1.4% in May, while the S&P 500 was up 1%.

The star performers today came from the tech arena, buoyed by impressive earnings from bellwether stock Dell Inc. (Nasdaq:DELL) and by chip designer Marvell Technology Group (Nasdaq:MRVL). The two stocks jumped 6.8% and 23.5%, respectively. The rise in tech stocks today bolstered investor psychology about consumer spending issues amid a difficult economy. Other big-name tech firms attracting buyers today included Cisco (Nasdaq:CSCO) and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ). The Philadelphia Stock Exchange’s key index on semiconductor shares (CVE:SOX) jumped 2.3%.

Although tech generated much of the power for today’s move (the Nasdaq was up 0.6%, while the Dow was down 0.06% and the S&P 500 up 0.15%), the insurance business got a lift from American Insurance Group (NYSE:AIG), which gained 2.3% on an upgrade from analysts at Morgan Stanley.

Retailer and beverage shares weren’t joining the buying party however, with Costco (Nasdaq:COST) down 2.4%, Target (NYSE:TGT) down 0.4% and Pepsi (NYSE:PEP) off 0.5%. The S&P Retail Index was off about 0.5% for the day.

The market managed to dodge any potential data pitfalls today, as economic reports on income, inflation, manufacturing purchases and consumer sentiment all basically came in benign. Perhaps the biggest relief was on the inflation front, as today’s personal income report showed that the PCE deflator — considered the . . .

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp (Nasdaq:RXII), Aristotle Corp (Nasdaq:ARTL) and Wind River Systems Inc (Nasdaq:WIND) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

GMX Resources Inc (Nasdaq:GMXR), Sourcefire Inc (Nasdaq:FIRE) and Hi/fn Inc (Nasdaq:HIFN) are also among the biggest percentage gainers.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

I-trax Inc. (AMEX: DMX), Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVN) and Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq: ARTL) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPP), First Cash Financial Services Inc. (Nasdaq: FCFS) and Intervest Bancshares Corp. (Nasdaq: IBCA) are also among the top small-cap percentage gainers.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

Shares of The Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq: ARTL) are falling on news before the start of trading that the maker and distributor of educational, health, medical technology and agricultural products suffered a decline in fourth-quarter profit. For the three months ended Dec. 31, 2007, the Stamford, Conn.-based company had earnings of $3.1 million, or $0.17 per share, compared with $4.5 million, or $0.26 per share, a year earlier.

At 2:28 p.m. ET, the stock was down $0.93, or 9%, to $9.60.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices have recovered from a morning dip and are now posting gains. At 1:58 p.m. ET, the small-cap index was up 4.10 points, or 0.57%, to 725.70. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had added 8.29 points, or 0.06%, to 12,808.47.

Small-cap stocks are moving up as speculation of an upcoming interest rate cut encourages investors to snap up equities following Friday’s steep declines. The major U.S. indices were trending higher in the morning, with the exception of a brief fall shortly after 10 a.m. ET.

News of a worse-than-expected jobs report on Friday dropped stocks and heightened speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates to prevent the economy from slipping into recession. The Fed is scheduled to begin a two-day meeting on Jan. 29.

Economists generally agree that U.S. economic growth was slow in the fourth quarter of 2007, dragged down by the stagnating U.S. housing sector and tighter lending.

Observers will be listening to a speech by the U.S. Treasury secretary at 2 p.m. ET about measures the Bush administration plans on taking to give the economy a boost.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are in positive territory this morning as investors pin their hopes on the retail sector.

At 10:26 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 8.25 points, or 1.11%, to 748.55. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had advanced 88.36 points, or 0.69%, to 12,887.40.

The stock exchange will close at 1 p.m. ET today due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

All eyes are on retailers today, the so-called “Black Friday”, when millions of Americans do their holiday shopping and when retailers become profitable for the year.

Black Friday is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, when stores open earlier than usual and handle an increased number of holiday shoppers looking for bargains. Retailers nationwide are introducing discounts and other strategies to get Americans to spend despite high energy prices and lower house prices that have combined to negatively affect consumer spending.

The bulls are hoping to see strong retail sales.

In other economic news, former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said today that U.S. house prices have not yet hit their low point. Speaking to an audience in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, Greenspan pointed to the large number unsold homes and said that the decline in house prices in unprecedented.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major American indices fell hard today on news of more losses stemming from the subprime mortgage meltdown. The small-cap index lost 19.17 points, or 2.49%, to 750.33, its fourth consecutive decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) added 218.35 points, or 1.66%, to 12,958.44.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has retreated 4.71%, while the Dow has advanced 3.88% and the S&P 500 has gained 1.18%.

Futures were pointing down and trading began in the red following news that investment bank Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) downgraded Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), the largest U.S. bank, to “sell” from “neutral” on fears that it could suffer up to $15 billion in write-downs on collateralized debt obligations over the next two quarters.

Many loans made to borrowers with poor credit histories were repackaged as securities and sold to financial companies, which is why the industry took a hit when U.S. housing prices started to stagnate in the second quarter of 2006 and delinquencies and foreclosures rose.

Today’s news scared investors and served as a reminder that the subprime mess is still working its way through the system and has the potential to inflict more pain. Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that no one knows how many more shoes are going to fall and what the size of the damage will be.

That news alone was enough to ensure that the bears would dominate trading, but there was more to come.

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), the nation’s second largest home improvement retailer, announced its third-quarter profit fell 10.2% and total sales increased a less-than-expected 3.2%.

The Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq: ARTL), Transcat, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRNS) and Hastings Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: HAST) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) has sunk even deeper into negative territory following news of record low U.S. homebuilder confidence. At 2:26 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had retreated 16.86 points, or 2.19%, to 752.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had fallen 154.70 points, or 1.17%, to 13,022.09.

Trading began on a bearish note following news that investment bank Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) downgraded financial services giant Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) to “sell” from “neutral” on fears that it could suffer up to $15 billion in write-downs on collateralized debt obligations over the next two quarters.

The fact that the largest U.S. bank has been dealt a blow and added to the list of casualties scared investors and served as a reminder that the subprime mess is still working its way through the system and has the potential to inflict more pain.

The financial sector has been feeling the sting of the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector, which began after the U.S. housing prices started to stagnate in the second quarter of 2006.

Speaking of housing, the National Association of Home Builders reported after the start of trading that its index of builder confidence stayed at a record low level for the second month in row in November.

Builder confidence in the market for new single-family homes held at October’s upwardly revised level of 19, the trade association announced. That’s the lowest reading since tracking started in January 1985.

“The message from today’s report is that builders do not see any significant change in housing market conditions as compared to last month,” said NAHB chief economist David Seiders in a statement. “While they continue to work down inventories of unsold homes and reposition themselves for the market’s eventual recovery, they realize it will be some time before market conditions support an upswing in building activity.”

Life Partners Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: LPHI), The Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq: ARTL) and Super Conductor Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCON) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

Shares in The Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq: ARTL) are up over 11% despite news after Wednesday’s close that the Stamford, Conn.-based company’s CFO and Vice President Dean Johnson intends to sell 13,000 shares before June 16, according to an SEC filing.

TravelCenters of America LLC (AMEX: TA) shares are up more than 8% following the announcement before the start of trading Thursday that Volvo Trucks (Nasdaq: VOLV) sold the Westlake, Ohio-based truck stop operator its 28.86% interest in Petro Stopping Centers. TravelCenters now has a controlling interest in Petro. Petro owns and operates 44 travel centers, franchises 24 and operates one travel center as a joint venture. TravelCenters operates 164 travel centers.

Shares in USA Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAT) are up more than 10% following an announcement Thursday before trading that Coca-Cola will buy USA’s e-Port wireless non-cash technology for use in vending machines. According to an SEC filing, USA will receive 5% of the cashless revenues and a monthly $9.95 fee per unit for each vending machine using USA’s technology. The Malvern, Penn.-based company said it expects up to 7,500 e-Ports to be installed by August 31.

These are the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million: