Tag - Atro

Symmetricom Inc. (Nasdaq:SYMM), Hi Shear Technology Corp. (Nasdaq:HSR) and Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Bob Evans Farms Inc. (Nasdaq:BOBE), Astronics Corp (Nasdaq:ATRO), Colony Bankcorp Inc. (Nasdaq:CBAN), Vanguard Natural Resources LLC (Nasdaq:VNR), Culp Inc (Nasdaq:CFI) and Deerfield Capital Corp. (Nasdaq:DFR).

Forest City Enterprises (Nasdaq:FCE.A), Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (Nasdaq:AGM) and EnerSys (Nasdaq:ENS) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Tree.com Inc. (Nasdaq:TREE), China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd, (Nasdaq:NPD), First California Financial Group Inc.(Nasdaq:FCAL), Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:VNDA), LCA Vision Inc. (Nasdaq:LCAV) and Astronics Corp. (Nasdaq:ATRO).

Pegasystems Inc. (Nasdaq:PEGA), NCI Building Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:NCS) and BWAY Holding Co. (Nasdaq:BWY) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Astronics Corp. (Nasdaq:ATRO), WellCare Health Plans Inc. (Nasdaq:WCG), BE Aerospace Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAV), Altra Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:AIMC), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN) and National Interstate Corp. (Nasdaq:NATL).

Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. (Nasdaq:BWLD), DuPont Fabros Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:DFT) and First California Financial (Nasdaq:FCAL) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $2 billion.

Also included among the results: Maui Land & . . .

Small caps continue to trade in the green midday, though off their highs of the session, after GDP was not as bad as feared. Today’s small-cap gainers are Horizon Lines (NYSE:HRZ), First Industrial Realty Trust (NYSE:FR) and Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Advancers were leading decliners by nearly 6 to 1 on the Russell 2000 after the first hour of trading.  
• Norway also joined in on the rate cut fervor as countries around the world toss cheap money at businesses in a drive to thaw frozen credit lines.  
• Hong Kong shot up some 10% and Taiwan was up 6%, as those countries announced rate cuts following the Fed’s rate cut Thursday.  
• Stock markets around the world were in rally mode overnight, with the world stock index up 2.5%, powered by steep gains in some Asian markets.
• Crude oil futures trimmed overnight gains and were hovering near steady levels on the stock market opening.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Shares of shipping company Horizon Lines are up 51%. Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock on Monday to "sell" from "neutral." See (NYSE:HRZ).  
• Shares of First Industrial Realty Trust are up 27% as it reports Q3 profit drop and cuts dividend. See (NYSE:FR).  
• Sonic Automotive shares up 24% as it reports losses in Q3. See (NYSE:SAH).  
• Auto parts supplier Tenneco to cut 1,100 jobs as global auto sales slide. Shares are up 20%. See (NYSE:TEN).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Sauer-Danfoss misses on Q3 earnings, issues cautious outlook. See (NYSE:SHS). 
• Brocade and Foundry Networks to amend merger terms: Foundry's shareholders to receive $16.50 in cash for each share. See (Nasdaq:FDRY).
• Astronics posts decline in bottom-line on higher engineering, development spending, higher manufacturing costs. (Nasdaq:ATRO).  
• Polypore International beats on Q3 results, guides full year revenues below the Street, EPS straddle consensus. See (NYSE:PPO).  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (Nasdaq:AGM), Targacept Inc. (Nasdaq:TRGT) and North American Galvanizing & Coatings Inc. (Nasdaq:NGA) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Innovative Solutions and Support Inc. (Nasdaq:ISSC), Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:JAZZ), Astronics Corp. (Nasdaq:ATRO), Elbit Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq:EMITF), Targa Resources Partners L.P. (Nasdaq:NGLS) and Quest Energy Partners L.P. (Nasdaq:QELP).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

PeopleSupport Inc (Nasdaq:PSPT), New Century Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:NCBC) and Tollgrade Communications Inc (Nasdaq:TLGD) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: US Airways Group Inc (Nasdaq:LCC), Medivation Inc (Nasdaq:MDVN), Astronics (Nasdaq:ATRO), Transition Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:TTHI), NewMarket Corp (Nasdaq:NEU) and Aixtron ADR (Nasdaq:AIXG).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Astronics (Nasdaq:ATRO), Innophos Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:IPHS) and USA Mobility Inc (Nasdaq:USMO) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc (Nasdaq:PEET), Nautilus Inc (Nasdaq:NLS), thinkorswim Group Inc (Nasdaq:SWIM), Universal American Corp (Nasdaq:UAM), Innovative Solutions and Support Inc (Nasdaq:ISSC) and RehabCare Group, Inc (Nasdaq:RHB).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks struggled to stay in the black at mid-session today after being weighed down by a rising crude price and a government report showing the U.S. unemployment rate at a four-year high. At 12:30 p.m. ET the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 0.51, or 0.07%, at 715.03.

Today’s monthly U.S. Labor Department employment report showed unemployment rates had jumped 5.7% from the previous month to the highest level in four years. Part-time workers rose by 291,000, citing a weak economy and job market for taking on part-time employment. On the upside, the United States shed 51,000 non-farm jobs, better than analyst estimates for a decline of 75,000 jobs. 

After several days of declines in crude oil prices, the commodity has begun to slowly edge upward. By mid-session, a barrel of light, sweet crude was at just under $126, much higher than the low $120s it was trading at earlier in the week. Statements from Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz that Iran was nearing a “major breakthrough” in its nuclear weapons program and that Israel has to “make sure we are prepared for every option” spurred speculation of an Israeli attack on Iran. In the past, Iran has warned it will block the Strait of Hormuz — an area in which one-fourth of the world’s oil is exported —  if attacked.

In large-cap headlines, giant auto manufacturer General Motors Corporation (NYSE:GM) posted a $15.5 billion second-quarter loss as U.S. sales and leases both dropped. The loss was the third largest in the company’s 100 years in business.

Computer server and software manufacturer Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq:JAVA) fell more than 12% today after reporting a 73% drop in its earnings. The company cautioned that it anticipates further losses in the current quarter because of softness in the current economy. The news dragged other tech stocks down.

Broad market sectors gaining ground today include office supplies; forestry and wood products; printing services; and oil and gas operations. Sectors taking a turn south include iron and steel; construction-raw materials; auto and truck . . .

Shares of East Aurora, N.Y.-based Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq:ATRO) have climbed 29% today after the company announced ahead of the opening strong second-quarter earnings and a lifted full-year outlook. For the quarter ended June 28, sales jumped 15.8% from a year ago to $47.9 million. Net income was $5.1 million, or $0.60 a share, compared with $4.5 million, or $0.53 a share, for the same period a year earlier. Wall Street was expecting earnings per share of $0.31 on revenues of $42 million.

Strong sales of airframe power, exterior and cockpit lighting to the military and business jet sectors helped buoy sales for the quarter, the company said in a statement. The company raised its full-year outlook to $175 million to $185 million, up from prior forecasts of $170 million.

At 9:43 a.m. ET, shares are at $18.80, up $4.20 from Thursday’s close. The stock has ranged from $12.30 to $54.20 during the past year.

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.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) has extended its earlier losses following news that the outlook for the U.S. economy has worsened, according to U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

At 12:12 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had declined 12.98 points, or 1.80%, to 708.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was down 99.41 points, or 0.79%, to 12,452.83.

“The outlook for the economy has worsened in recent months, and the downside risks to growth have increased,” Fed chairman Ben Bernanke told the Senate Banking Committee this morning.

However, Bernanke made sure to point out that he is not predicting a recession.

“My baseline outlook involves a period of sluggish growth, followed by a somewhat stronger pace of growth starting later this year as the effects of monetary and fiscal stimulus begin to be felt.”

The Fed chief also said that the U.S. central bank stands ready to lower its target federal funds rate again if necessary.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who is testifying alongside Bernanke, also told lawmakers that he believes the economy will avoid recession in 2008.

The Russell 2000 has been sliding continuously ever since the joint testimony began at 10 a.m. ET.

Shooting for the stratosphere is routine for the aircraft that use the electronics equipment made by Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO). Small-cap investors who decided to bet on the East Aurora, N.Y.-based company about this time last year have seen their money similarly soar, with the stock recently tripling in value.

Year to date, Astronics shares are up roughly 160%, and better than 60% in just the past six months. By comparison, the Dow Jones Aerospace Index is up 21% for the year and a measly 5% in the past six months.

For those arriving late to the Astronics party, a sudden sell-off after Federal Reserve policymakers tossed some cold water on Wall Street’s interest-rate expectations on Dec. 11 could provide an opportunity to buy into the company, since its shares have dropped more than 15% below the recent highs.

Still, analysts who track this trusted maker of electronic and lighting components in an industry where failure is not an option have taken a neutral stance, with three rating it at “hold.”

In 2007, the share price of Astronics has seemingly climbed faster than the military, commercial and business-jet aircraft that utilize the high-performance components that it makes at four North American plants. Astronics hit 52-week highs in late November and early December, most recently topping at $54.20 on Dec. 3. Since then, it’s been sliding lower — and without any news out, perhaps it’s just suffering along with the overall market that remains in a funk. The pullback has meant Astronics is trading back below $45. The stock closed at $41.20 on Tuesday.

Astronics Corp. (Nasdaq: ATRO) shares are up after the supplier of lighting, electronics and power distribution systems for the aerospace industry reported third-quarter net income of $4.1 million, or $0.48 per share, above analyst estimates of $0.26 per share and up 156% from $1.6 million, or $0.20 per share, a year earlier.

“We continue to see strong demand across the aerospace industry for the full range of our products,” CEO Peter Gundermann said in a statement. “We aim to compel our customers to choose us as partners as they develop new aircraft by offering innovative technology and high-value systems.”

Quarterly net sales jumped 36% to $37.7 million, higher than Wall Street projections of $33.4 million and from $27.8 million during the same period of 2006. Gundermann said fiscal year sales are anticipated to increase about 40% to a range of $155 million to $160 million, from $110.8 million last year.

In explaining the results, the company cited improved commercial transport sales, as many airlines are currently refurbishing older aircraft.

In midday trading, ATRO shares are up 6.2%, or $2.48, at $42.45. Over the last 52 weeks, shares have ranged from $14.56 to $45.44.

The Russell 2000 and the Dow have cautiously moved into positive territory following news of better-than-expected U.S. job growth in June. At 11:38 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 was up 2.32 points, or 0.27%, to 852.45. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had added 49.26 points, or 0.36%, to 13,615.10.

Redwood City, Calif.-based Tumbleweed Communications Corp. (Nasdaq: TMWD), a provider of messaging security solutions, anticipates a net loss of between $0.02 per share and $0.03 per share for the three-month period ended June 30. That’s below analysts’ projected profit of $0.01 per share. “Although our second quarter bookings were within the range we expected when we issued our guidance in April, revenue fell short of our expectations,” CEO James P. Scullion said in a press release after Thursday’s close. The stock is down $0.10, or 4%, to $2.50.

Shares of East Aurora, N.Y.-based Astronics Corp. (Nasdaq: ATRO) have gained strength after news this morning that the supplier of lighting, electronics and power distribution systems for the global aerospace industry tripled its net income.

Net income for the first quarter ended March 31 was $4.7 million, or $0.56 per share, up a whopping 362%, compared with net income of $1.3 million, or $0.16 per share, in the first quarter of 2006.

These are the biggest percentage gainers among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million: