Tag - Asys

Sonesta International Hotels (Nasdaq:SNSTA), Amtech Systems Inc (Nasdaq:ASYS), Flexsteel Industries Inc (Nasdaq:FLXS) and Mindspeed Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:MSPD) are among the biggest percentage Gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Taylor Devices Inc (Nasdaq:TAYD), Cytori Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:CYTX), Super Micro Computer Inc (Nasdaq:SMCI), Impac Mortgadge Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:IMPM) and Xyratex Ltd (Nasdaq:XRTX).

Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:GPRE), Hiland Partners LP (Nasdaq:HLND) and Shamir Optical Industry Ltd. (Nasdaq:SHMR) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Greene County Bancorp (Nasdaq:GCBC), NATCO Group Inc. (Nasdaq:NTG), Amtech Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYS), CommVault Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CVLT), Patni Computer Systems ADR (Nasdaq:PTI) and H&E Equipment Services Inc. (Nasdaq:HEES).

HireRight Inc (Nasdaq:HIRE), Chemgenex Pharm Ltd (Nasdaq:CXSP) and Republic First Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:FRBK) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Kandi Technologies Corp (Nasdaq:KNDI), China Sky One Medical Inc (Nasdaq:CSY), Timberland Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:TSBK), Amtech Systems Inc (Nasdaq:ASYS), Dynacq Healthcare Inc (Nasdaq:DYII) and Pier 1 Imports Inc (Nasdaq:PIR).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small caps gained shallow ground midday on the heels of Fed Chairman Bernanke’s sanguine comments surrounding the aftermath of the credit crisis and banks’ recent abilities to raise capital in response.

At 1:08 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) edged up 3.89, or 0.53%, to 739.96 while the Dow gained 51.37, or 0.4%, to 12,949.75.

In a prepared statement to a Chicago Fed conference, Bernanke offered encouraging remarks this morning when he addressed lessons learned from the credit debacle. The Fed Chair said conditions remain delicate and encouraged banks to continue being “proactive” in raising needed capital to create new profit opportunities as the economy and financial markets improve.

“Importantly, capital raising and balance sheet repair allow for the extension of new credit, which supports economic expansion,” Bernanke said.

He also noted that banks that closely monitored valuation inaccuracies of financial instruments fared better.

In economic news, investors shrugged off a slew of downbeat data. The Philadelphia Fed survey clocked in at negative 15.6, which was better than the projection for a decline of 19. That report followed disappointing numbers from the release of Industrial Production and the New York Manufacturing Survey, both of which pointed to a bleak manufacturing activity. Industrial Production was pegged at minus 0.7%, which was below the forecast for a dip of 0.3%. Meanwhile, the NY Manufacturing data came in at minus 3.23 for May, below the forecast for 0.00.

In addition, the Weekly Claims report edged slightly higher to 371,000, which was just above the forecast of 370,000.

Yucheng Technologies (Nasdaq:YTEC), Amtech Systems Inc (Nasdaq:ASYS) and Perceptron Inc (Nasdaq:PRCP) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

CapitalSouth Bancorp (Nasdaq:CAPB), WSP Holdings Ltd (Nasdaq:WH) and Steak n Shake Company (NYSE:SNS) are also among the biggest percentage losers.

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) posted the steepest decline as U.S. indices fell on news that U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke called economic growth “sluggish.” The small-cap index lost 16.61 points, or 2.30%, to 705.32. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) declined 175.26 points, or 1.40%, to 12,376.98.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has let go 7.93%, while the Dow is missing 6.69% and the S&P 500 has fallen 8.14%.

“My baseline outlook involves a period of sluggish growth, followed by a somewhat stronger pace of growth starting later this year,” Bernanke told the Senate Banking Committee today. “The outlook for the economy has worsened in recent months, and the downside risks to growth have increased.”

The bears took complete control of trading as soon as the Fed chief began his congressional testimony at 10 a.m. ET and small-cap stocks began a virtually uninterrupted slide down.

Bernanke hinted that rate cuts are possible in the future and pointed out he is not predicting a recession, but investors didn’t take notice.

In economic news, the U.S. Commerce Department reported that the country’s trade deficit fell by a greater-than-expected 6.9% to $58.76 billion in December from $63.12 billion in November.

However, the U.S. Labor Department reported that for the week ended Feb. 9, the four-week moving average for new jobless claims increased 12,000 to its highest level since October 2005.

Shares of Amtech Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYS) are heading higher after the global manufacture of solar cells, semiconductors and silicon wafers reiterated its strong business fundamentals, order growth and outlook for fiscal year 2008.

For fiscal 2008, Amtech restated revenue guidance to be in the range of $65 to $75 million, representing growth of approximately 40% to 60% over fiscal 2007. Last year the firm made $45.98 million in revenue. An analyst polled by Thomson Financial is forecasting revenue of $73.80 million for 2008.

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of disappointing fourth-quarter earnings and tempered fiscal first-quarter revenue guidance disclosed on Wednesday.

To ease apprehension investors had surrounding Wednesday’s information, the company also restated that although it was adversely impacted by the timing of shipment and acceptance of several systems moving into the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the change has no impact on the company’s underlying business conditions or fundamentals.

Shares of Amtech Systems (ASYS) gained $0.03, or 0.26%, to $11.40 during morning trading. Shares of Amtech Systems have been trading in the range of $6.65 to $17.74 for the past 52 weeks.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) fell today on news that high energy costs led to a jump in U.S. producer prices. The small-cap index dropped 2.25 points, or 0.29%, to 769.46. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) gained 44.06 points, or 0.33%, to 13,517.96.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 is down 2%, while the Dow has moved up 8.36% and the S&P 500 has added 5.07%.

Producer prices, the prices received by domestic producers for their output, jumped 3.2% in November, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The increase, the biggest in 34 years, was led by a 14.1% surge in the price of energy goods.

Economists were expecting to see an increase of 1.5% following October’s rise of 0.1%.

The core producer price index, which excludes food and energy, added 0.4%, also more than projected.

The statistics raised fears of an uptick in inflation, which would make it less likely that the U.S. Federal Reserve will move to lower its target interest rate in the near future.

Small and large-cap stocks opened in negative territory and stayed there throughout the morning. A cautious rally took hold in the final two hours of trading, but the Russell 2000 was incapable of clearing the flat line the way the Dow did.

Amtech Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYS) are swooning this afternoon after the manufacturer of solar cells, semiconductors and silicon wafers today reported fourth-quarter results below the sole analyst on Wall Street’s estimates and issued a tempered outlook for its first fiscal quarter.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, the Tempe, Ariz.- based firm recorded net income of $1.1 million, or $0.17 per share, below the sole analyst’s estimate of $0.15 per share as polled by Thomson. The current quarter’s bottom line compares with $0.5 million, or $0.14 per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

Net income was positively impacted in the quarter by the recording of a net tax benefit of approximately $0.3 million from a reduction in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of approximately $0.6 million, compared with zero tax expense in the same period a year ago. 

Revenue was $13.1 million for the quarter, below the $13.3 million an analyst polled by Thomson was forecasting. The current quarter’s revenue represented a 16% increase over the $11.3 million booked in the same quarter last year. The company attributed the increase in revenues mainly to higher solar revenues. 

At Sept. 30, 2007, the company’s order backlog was $23.2 million, a 70% increase over the Sept. 30, 2006 backlog. The backlog comprised approximately $17.4 million in solar orders, a whopping 128% increase over the $7.6 million of solar backlog at Sept. 30, 2006.

The $17.4 million in solar backlog does not include an additional $15 million solar order received shortly after the fiscal year end.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is falling on news that U.S. producer prices for November increased the most in three decades.
 
At 10:44 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had lost 8.87 points, or 1.15%, to 762.84. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was off 55.52 points, or 0.41%, to 13,418.38.

Producer prices, the prices received by domestic producers for their output, jumped 3.2% in November, the U.S. Labor Department reported before the start of trading. The increase, the biggest since 1973, was partially attributed to a 14.1% surge in the price of energy goods.

Producer prices increased 0.1% in October. Prices are up 7.2% on a year-to-date basis.

The core producer price index, which excludes food and energy, added 0.4%.

Both figures are well above what economists were expecting, which raises fears of inflation. An increase in inflation makes it less likely that the U.S. Federal Reserve will move to lower interest rates.

Stocks opened with a drop as investors focused on the producer price index and disregarded news that U.S. retail sales for November were surprisingly strong.

The Census Bureau reported before the opening that retail sales increased 1.2% to $385.8 billion. That’s beyond the projected increase of 0.6%. Retail sales in October rose 0.2%.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are down and the small-cap index will likely open in negative territory.

Investors appear to be in a bearish mood even though U.S. retail sales for November were surprisingly strong. The Commerce Department reported that retail sales climbed 1.2%, well above the projected increase of 0.6% and higher than October’s 0.2% increase.

That result is surprising because economists expect consumer spending to slow in the closing months of 2007.

But there is also disappointing economic news.

The U.S. Labor Department reported that November producer prices, the prices received by domestic producers for their output, jumped 3.2%. That’s the biggest monthly increase in more than 30 years.

The core producer price index, which excludes food and energy, added 0.4%.

Both figures are well above what economists were expecting, which raises fears of inflation.

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:

• Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RIGL), up 78% on news its treatment for rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated good results in a clinical trial.
• Advanta Corp. (ADVNB), up 7%.
• Cynosure Inc. (CYNO), up 6%.

Graham Corp. (AMEX: GHM), MC Shipping Inc. (AMEX: MCX) and GPC Biotech AG (Nasdaq: GPCB) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

Semiconductor and solar cell company Amtech Systems, Inc. (Nasadq: ASYS), announced Monday that it received a $4.9 million follow-on solar order for diffusion processing systems from the solar cell industry.

The company says the follow-on order of $4.9 million is from a recent new customer in Asia and is on top of a $4.4 million solar order from earlier this month. This is the fourth order Amtech has had over the last two months.

For its fiscal 2007 year-to-date, Amtech has received approximately $19 million of solar orders, including this most recent order.

Shares of Amtech climbed 11.5%, or $1.24, to $12.02 mid-morning Monday.

Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA) reported it is entering a joint development deal worth more than $1 billion with Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK).

Sify Limited (Nasdaq: SIFY) reported it is partnering with Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) to bring Internet and information technology services to India.

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

Computer hardware maker SBE, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBEI) is rising on heavy trading. Swedish mobile device developer Neonode received a large order from the Norwegian telecommunications company Telenor on Wednesday. SBE announced it’s merging with Neonode earlier in the year. The merger awaits shareholder approval until Aug. 10.

New Brunswick Scientific Co., Inc. (Nasdaq: NBSC) announced it is being taken private by the German laboratory products maker Eppendorf in a $110 million deal.

Solar cell products maker Amtech Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYS) said it’s booked $4.4 million in new orders.

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

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow are higher following news of the latest corporate deal-making. At 11:37 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 was up 2.07 points, or 0.25%, to 839.55. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had added 59.42 points, or 0.44%, to 13,561.12.

Gander Mountain Co. (Nasdaq: GMTN), which operates retail stores specializing in outdoor lifestyle products and services, has won a long-standing dispute with rival Cabela’s Inc. (NYSE: CAB) over the right to use certain Gander Mountain trademarks in direct marketing, the St. Paul, Minn.-based firm said after Tuesday’s close. The decision is subject to an appeal. The stock is up $0.94, or 9%, to $11.03.

The Russell 2000 and the other major U.S. indices are flat this morning as investors take a breath after Tuesday’s big sell-off.

At 10:19 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 had gained 0.69 points, or 0.08 percent, to 838.17. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 40.24 points, or 0.30 percent, to 13,541.94.

Stocks fell sharply on Tuesday after rating agency Standard & Poor’s threatened to downgrade $12 billion debt securities backed by subprime mortgages due to weakness in the U.S. housing sector. Similarly, rating agency Moody’s Corp. (NYSE: MCO) announced after the close that it has downgraded several such securities.

Some investors are obligated to sell their bonds following a downgrade.

The U.S. dollar responded by falling to an all-time low of against the Euro. One U.S. dollar will now buy you 0.7262 of the currency used by 13 European Union members.

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

Medical imaging company Vital Images, Inc. (Nasdaq: VTAL) revealed disappointing second-quarter preliminary results and cut its annual revenue guidance.

Biopharmaceutical company Novacea, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVC) reported a $60 million deal with healthcare company Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE: SGP) for the development and commercialization for Novacea’s cancer drug Asentar.

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

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

Solar cell maker Amtech Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYS) reported it has received $16.5 million in orders from Asia.

Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. (NYSE: UBA) declared quarterly dividends of $0.23 for class A common stock and $0.20 for regular common stock. The dividends are payable on July 20.

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

Air filters and piping systems maker MFRI, Inc. (Nasdaq: MFRI) said strong sales prompted its first-quarter profit to multiply six times over the year-ago period. The Niles, Ill.-based company reported income for the first quarter ended April 30 was $1 million, or $0.15 per share, up from $151,000, or $0.03 per share, a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted earnings of $0.10 per share.

NeurogesX Inc. (Nasdaq: NGSX) announced it has completed enrollment for the third trial phase of its postherpetic neuralgia treatment NGX-4010.

Boosted by increased pricing and operational improvements, Exide Technologies’ (Nasdaq: XIDE) fourth quarter loss narrowed from the year-ago period. The battery maker reported a quarterly loss of $21.6 million, or $0.35 per share, compared with a loss of $76.3 million, or $2.98 per share, a year earlier.

Cano Petroleum, Inc. (AMEX: CFW) said it sold its Rich Valley, Okl. property to a private company for $7.0 million.

Solar energy equipment maker Amtech Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYS) announced $4.1 million in new orders from Asia. The Tempe, Ariz.-based company said it expects to deliver the orders in six months.

Rock Hill, S.C.-based 3D Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: TDSC) announced its Tangible Express technology will be featured in the July issue of “Plastics Technology” magazine.

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

The Russell 2000 is lower than the other indices as concerns interest rates are not going down anytime soon grips Wall Street. At 11:34 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 was down 7.92 points, or 0.95%, to 825.26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 66.88 points, or 0.50%, to 13,358.08.

White Electronic Designs Corp. (Nasdaq: WEDC) has received a $3 million contract for the design and manufacture of a test strip for a blood monitoring application, the Phoenix, Ariz.-based maker of high technology components said before the opening bell.