Tag - Colb

Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), EnerNOC Inc. (Nasdaq:ENOC) and Orthovita Inc. (Nasdaq:VITA) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Columbia Banking System Inc. (Nasdaq:COLB), Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) and Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM).

Oil-Dri Corp of America (Nasdaq:ODC), Columbia Banking System Inc. (Nasdaq:COLB) and Mid Penn Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:MPB) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Chindex International Inc. (Nasdaq:CHDX), BTU International Inc. (Nasdaq:BTUI), Broadwind Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:BWEN), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT) and Cogo Group Inc. (Nasdaq:COGO).

Provident Bankshares Corp (Nasdaq:PBKS), MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:MAPP) and Midas Inc (Nasdaq:MDS) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: RHI Entertainment Inc (Nasdaq:RHIE), Alamo Inc (Nasdaq:ALG), Bottomline Technologies  Inc (Nasdaq:EPAY), Neenah Paper Inc (Nasdaq:NP), Multi Color Corp (Nasdaq:LABL) and Columbia Banking System Inc (Nasdaq:COLB).

NB Capital Corp (Nasdaq:NBD), Horizon Lines (Nasdaq:HRZ) and SureWest Communications (Nasdaq:SURW) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AngioDynamics Inc (Nasdaq:ANGO), James River Coal Co (Nasdaq:JRCC), Triumph Group (Nasdaq:TGI), TEAM Inc (Nasdaq:TISI), Endwave Corp (Nasdaq:ENWV) and Columbia Banking System Inc (Nasdaq:COLB).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Columbia Banking System Inc. (Nasdaq:COLB) is down more than 12% in pre-market trading today after the Tacoma, Wash.-based holding company closed nearly 41% lower on Thursday. Late Wednesday the company said it anticipates making a provision for loan losses of $15.4 million for the second quarter of 2008. Columbia Banking said the decision was due to an increase in non-accrual loans resulting from the weak economy.

Thursday's drop also came on the heels of two analyst downgrades. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded Columbia Banking to “market perform” from “outperform,” while D.A. Davidson cut the holding company’s rating to “underperform” from “neutral.”

Ahead of the opening today, shares of Columbia Banking are at $9.50, down $1.30 from Thursday’s close. The company’s shares have ranged from yesterday’s low of $9.30 to $34 during the past year.

Columbia Banking System Inc (Nasdaq:COLB), Taylor Capital Group Inc (Nasdaq:TAYC) and Entercom Communications Corp (Nasdaq:ETM) are among the new 52-week lows in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: GSI Group Inc (Nasdaq:GSIG), LandAmerica Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:LFG), Penford Corp (Nasdaq:PENX), Century Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:CNBKA), Indiana Community Bancorp (Nasdaq:INCB) and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc (Nasdaq:RRGB).

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

Columbia Banking System Inc. (Nasdaq:COLB) is down 43% after announcing on Wednesday it expects to make a provision for loan losses of $15.4 million for the second quarter of 2008. The Tacoma, Wash.-based holding company said the decision was due to an increase in non-accrual loans resulting from the slowing economic environment.

“The decision to increase our provision is a prudent step on the part of Columbia’s management in light of the continuing weakness in the for-sale housing industry and the economy,” said Melanie Dressel, president and CEO, in a statement. “As we have previously stated, Columbia is not immune to the instability in the residential real estate markets and mortgage-related industries.”

Adding to Columbia’s troubles were two analyst downgrades today. Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded Columbia to “market perform” from “outperform.” D.A. Davidson cut the holding company’s rating to “underperform” from “neutral.”

FCStone Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCSX), Columbia Banking System Inc (Nasdaq:COLB) and United Community Bancorp (Nasdaq:UCBA) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Entercom Communications Corp (Nasdaq:ETM), FirstFed Financial Corp (Nasdaq:FED), MGIC Investment Corp (Nasdaq:MTG), Zumiez Inc (Nasdaq:ZUMZ), Investors Title Co (Nasdaq:ITIC) and Penford Corp (Nasdaq:PENX).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) fell for the second day in a row on news of housing and subprime concerns and record oil prices. The small-cap index let go 6.01 points, or 0.72%, to 823.35. The Dow lost 71.86 points, or 0.51%, to 13,912.94.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has increased 4.56%, while the Dow has added 11.53%.

Predictions by high-level U.S. officials that the slump in the housing sector will get worse and slow down economic growth brought out the bears today, as small and large caps ended in the red for the second consecutive day.

After the close on Monday, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said that the slump in the housing sector is expected to get worse and be a drag on economic growth going into 2008. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson made similar comments at Georgetown University’s law school today, adding that the federal government should work to avoid foreclosures and prevent property values from falling further.

As if to confirm the downcast predictions, the National Association of Home Builders announced that its monthly home builder confidence index fell more than expected in October to a record low.

Contributing to the negative mood was news of weaker-than-expected third-quarter earnings for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC). CEO John Stumpf blamed disruptions in the credit markets.