Tag - Comv

Santander Bancorp (Nasdaq:SBP), Caribou Coffee Co Inc (Nasdaq:CBOU) and Rubicon Technology Inc (Nasdaq:RBCN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Kohlberg Capital Corp (Nasdaq:KCAP), Pulaski Financial Corp (Nasdaq:PULB), Colony Bankcorp Inc (Nasdaq:CBAN), Toreador Resources Corp (Nasdaq:TRGL), Conn's Inc (Nasdaq:CONN) and Comverge Inc (Nasdaq:COMV).

Small-cap stocks edged lower, pressured by ongoing worries about sluggish economic conditions, slumping corporate profits and soft holiday retail sales. Losses were limited by a firm tone in the commodities arena, which helped support overseas markets in overnight trading. Today's small-cap percentage gainers are Linn Energy LLC (Nasdaq:LINE) and Northwest Pipe Co. (Nasdaq:NWPX).

Other Market Watch highlights included:

• Looking at the short-term picture for today, resistance comes in at 481, then at 491. On the downside, support is at 464, then down at 452.50.
• On the charts, the Russell 2000 will need a breakout through 491 on the upside or 416 on the downside to suggest a dramatic new move is on tap.  
• Gold prices were on a roll, climbing to 11-week highs in European action, which could provide a lift to gold stocks and mining shares if the trend remains in play.  
• Losses were limited by a firm tone in the commodities arena, which helped support overseas markets in overnight trading.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Linn Energy LLC gapped higher and was showing a gain of 19% after a bullish article in Barron’s. See (Nasdaq:LINE).
• Northwest Pipe Co., which makes welded steel pipes, was up 13.2% to $37.65. See (Nasdaq:NWPX).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Comverge, Inc., which makes equipment for improving electric capacity, is down 16.7% to $5.00. See (Nasdaq:COMV).  
• Jones Apparel Group Inc. down 12.7% after late Friday report that it cut back its revolving credit facilities. See (NYSE:JNY). 

Small-cap stocks endured a choppy day of trading Tuesday, vacillating between positive and negative territory as index traders juggled both the positive and negative stock market implications of a rise in crude oil prices. In addition, the market struggled to evaluate the supportive side of an upside surprise in consumer confidence and a strong U.S. dollar against Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) concerns about slower spending and the potential for further declines in payroll numbers. In the end, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 2.97, or 0.41%, at 723.51. For the year, the Russell is now down 5.5%, while the Dow is off 13.9% and the S&P 500 is down 13.4%.

Despite the uneven action today in small caps, it should be noted that price moves took place on relatively light volume, as we are winding down the summer vacation season, both here in the United States and abroad. Of greater significance is that the market has plunged back into the old range, validating the bearish topping pattern from the recent highs. In addition, the violation of key support along the 726 zone now leaves the market vulnerable to a slide toward the next logical support area near 711.50.

The lasting impression from today’s action could very well be the somber tone on the FOMC minutes (although the higher close certainly tames those concerns); but there were plenty of economic hurdles to navigate earlier this morning, including reports on housing and consumer confidence. The biggest surprise was a better-than-expected reading on consumer confidence, which laid the foundation for a relatively solid morning in stocks. The headline figure on confidence came in at 56.9, which was above the forecast of 53. It’s still not a lofty figure historically, but the . . .

Small-cap stocks held in higher ground through midday trading, with commodity names bolstered by a rise in oil prices while money flow into stocks was supported by a strong U.S. dollar and soft credit instruments. At 12:50 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 3.58, or 0.50%, at 724.12. Small caps were outperforming other index products, buoyed by gains in small energy names.

Energy stocks were also providing the biggest boost to large caps, with Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) up 0.9% and Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:APC) surging 5% as the firm announced plans for a $5 billion share buy-back program.

This morning’s rush of economic data in the United States on housing and consumer confidence brought a mixed picture, with the housing market still sinking, but consumer confidence climbing above market expectations. Still, confidence is low historically, and likely got a lift from the pullback in gasoline pump prices in recent weeks. If crude oil starts to climb back above $120 and higher, then a new crisis of confidence could be just around the corner.

Speaking of crude oil, the market for black gold was up about $0.75 a barrel, slipping back below $116 dollars, down from the $117 level on the morning highs. The energy market is reluctant to get carried away on the sell side right now until they get a better picture of how Hurricane Gustav will track through the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar remained strongly higher against the euro, up about 0.8%, near the highest point since February.

It should be noted that volume on today’s stock market trading has been light, with many traders on holiday to enjoy the last few weeks of the summer season. In fact, the move so far today in the Russell has been confined to an inside session of the more dynamic decline from Monday … in trader parlance, it has something . . .

DrdGold (Nasdaq:DROOY), Accuray Inc (Nasdaq:ARAY) and 012 Smile Communications Ltd (Nasdaq:SMLC) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.       

Also included among the results: Insulet (Nasdaq:PODD), SORL Auto Parts Inc. (Nasdaq:SORL), Fundtech Ltd. (Nasdaq:FNDT), Quest Energy Partners L P (Nasdaq:QELP), China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) and Comverge Inc. (Nasdaq:COMV).           

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:   

Comverge Inc (Nasdaq:COMV), China East Air Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:CEA) and China Southern Airlines ADR Each representing 50 H Ord Shs (Nasdaq:ZNH) are among the new 52-week lows in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.           

Also included among the results: Horsehead Holding Corp (Nasdaq:ZINC), CryptoLogic Ltd (Nasdaq:CRYP), Physicians Formula Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:FACE), Jeffersonville Bancorp (Nasdaq:JFBC), Strattec Security Corp (Nasdaq:STRT) and Greater China Fund Inc (Nasdaq:GCH).  

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

Small-cap stocks slipped Tuesday, pulled down by struggling financial sector shares and a profit-taking mentality following sizable gains the previous two sessions. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was off 6.12, or 0.82%, at 744.94, while the Dow was down 1.19% at 11,642.47 and the S&P 500 was down 1.21% at 1,289.59. For the year, the IWM is down 2.75%, the Dow off 12.22% and the S&P 500 down 12.19%.

Small caps made a huge move during Monday’s rally relative to large-cap shares, fueled somewhat by ideas that a sinking U.S. dollar would stand to benefit smaller, domestic companies more than large multinationals who depend on sales to foreign customers. But even on today’s pullback, small caps still outperformed the Dow and S&P 500, reflecting investor taste for riskier fare and also on thoughts that previous similar economic cycles have benefited small caps over large-cap shares. However, the Russell was trumped today by the Nasdaq 100, as tech stocks put together a solid performance.

Tech stocks — and most equity indices in general — were underpinned on dips by a slide in crude oil prices, which slipped below $113 dollars a barrel for the first time in three months and eventually settled U.S. trading right near the $113 line. Demand destruction remains a concern for the energy market, as the Energy Information Administration today reported the largest drop in U.S. demand in 26 years, which countered some bullish supply concerns tied to the Russia/Georgia conflict. Elsewhere on the commodity front, gold price tumbled 1.7%, but the Commodity Research Bureau Index of 19 commodity markets was only off about 0.3%.

A recent surge in the U.S. dollar has played a key role in the decline of energy and other commodity prices, but today the greenback was relatively calm, failing to get a charge out of a surprisingly strong international trade report early this morning. The trade deficit narrowed to 56.7 billion dollars, which was better than the forecast for a deficit of 61.5 billion. Normally that would be enough to trigger more volatile response from foreign exchange traders, but with the dollar already soaring 7.5% . . .

Small caps opened lower and continue to bleed midday as concerns about financials and the credit crisis resurfaced to the top of the docket for investors. 

At 1:00 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) had slipped 4.68, or 0.68%, to 736.38, while the Dow skidded 61.41, or 0.52%, to 11,721.21.

After what seemed to be the beginnings of a strong rally, the small-cap index lost its steam as a myriad of lackluster news spewed out of Wall Street’s major investment houses reminding investors of the difficulties that continue to enrapture financials.

JP Morgan (NYSE:JPM) said in a regulatory filing Monday that trading conditions have “substantially deteriorated” and that it anticipates the global economy will remain anemic, that capital markets will remain under pressure and that it expects housing prices to continue to crumble. The bank said it squandered $1.5 billion after hedges of its mortgage-backed securities and loans. Shares skidded 7% midday.

UBS (NYSE:UBS) reported today that it took a $5.1 billion write-down and booked a fourth consecutive loss in the second quarter of $331 million, as the bank continues to grapple with decayed subprime mortgage securities. The bank also said it will split up its investment banking and wealth management divisions.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is off 4.5% midday after Deutsche Bank lowered its rating on the investment bank to “hold” from “buy” and reduced its target price. Oppenheimer’s Meredith Whitney also slashed her earnings outlook for this year and next.

Shares of Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq:COMV) are veering lower ahead of the open after the provider of peaking and base load capacity solutions to electric utilities, grid operators, and associated electricity markets this morning reported second-quarter net income and revenues that fell short of the consensus on Wall Street and lowered its full year revenue guidance. The firm lowered its revenue outlook due to a regulatory change in grid operator PJM's rules for its economic program, which the company said will result in a reduction in the revenues received under economic, or voluntary, demand response programs.

As a result of this regulatory change, the company also said that approximately $3 million in expected revenues from PES installations completed in the second quarter will not be realized until the third quarter.

Shares lost 8%, or $0.69, to $8.25 ahead of the open. For detailed price information and news stories on Comverge, click COMV.  

Global Industries Ltd (Nasdaq:GLBL), Hughes Communications Inc (Nasdaq:HUGH) and Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners LP (Nasdaq:PSE) are among the new 52-week lows in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Comverge Inc (Nasdaq:COMV), Interline Brands Inc (Nasdaq:IBI), Core Molding Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:CMT), Stillwater Mining Co (Nasdaq:SWC), Seabridge Gold Inc (Nasdaq:SA) and Ohio Valley Banc Corp (Nasdaq:OVBC).

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

Charlotte Russe Holding Inc (Nasdaq:CHIC), Western Refining Inc (Nasdaq:WNR) and Comverge Inc (Nasdaq:COMV) are among the new 52-week lows in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Trico Marine Services Inc (Nasdaq:TRMA), Hansen Medical Inc (Nasdaq:HNSN), Rubicon Technology Inc (Nasdaq:RBCN), CPI Corp (Nasdaq:CPY), EPIQ Systems Inc (Nasdaq:EPIQ) and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (Nasdaq:NAK).

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

Lime Energy Co (Nasdaq:LIME), Landrys Restaurants Inc (Nasdaq:LNY) and Motorcar Parts of America Inc (Nasdaq:MPAA) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Greenfield Online Inc (Nasdaq:SRVY), Sterling Financial Corp (Nasdaq:STSA), Tessera Technologies (Nasdaq:TSRA), RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp (Nasdaq:RXII), Novogen Ltd (Nasdaq:NVGN) and Comverge Inc (Nasdaq:COMV).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq:COMV), a clean capacity provider through demand response and energy efficiency, said this morning that it recorded a net loss in the first quarter that was narrower than the year-ago quarter, but wider than Wall Street expected. The company also reaffirmed its full year revenue guidance, but noted that since it is in the preliminary years of an emerging industry and that regulatory policies for demand response markets continue to evolve, it perceives that quarterly revenue may continue to be uneven.

Shares sliped 5.4%, or $0.75, to $13.25 ahead of the opening bell. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Comverge, click COMV.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers and losers in pre-market trading among companies with a market cap between $50 million and $750 million:

Biggest percentage gainers:

• Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS), up 19% after reporting first-quarter results after Monday’s close that beat the street and raised full-year revenue guidance.
• Kenexa (Nasdaq: KNXA), up15% after the global provider of talent acquisition and retention services reported first-quarter earnings after Monday’s close that trumped the consensus on Wall Street, while revenues met. The company also issued full year guidance above analysts’ estimates and second-quarter revenues above the Street.
• Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Ltd. (Nasdaq:ULTR), up 13% after the industrial transportation company reported first-quarter results Monday evening that beat the consensus on Wall Street. The small cap attributed the robust results to strong demand in all of its main lines of business.

Biggest percentage losers:

• ShopNBC (Nasdaq:VVTV), down 10% after the 24-hour TV shopping network said after Monday’s close that it expects to report a decline in first-quarter revenues below the consensus on Wall Street, as the company grappled with a difficult consumer economy and a slowdown in discretionary spending.
• Hoku Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOKU), down 7% after reporting fourth-quarter results this morning that fell short of the consensus view on Wall Street.
• Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq:COMV), down 5% after reporting a first-quarter net loss that was wider than Wall Street expected, but narrower from the year-ago quarter. 

TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), China Finance Online Co. (Nasdaq:JRJC) and Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Encore Wire Corp. (Nasdaq:WIRE), Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq:COMV) and AsiaInfo Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASIA) are also among the most actively traded small-cap companies in pre-market trading.

Here are the most actively traded small-cap companies in Thursday's pre-market trading:

According to the Gridwise Alliance, a consortium of companies — including General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) and Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: CEG) — that promotes smart grid technologies and works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the nation's electric grid will be strained by more than 60% by 2015. Because of increasing energy usage, aging power infrastructure and limitations on the ability to produce more electricity in some parts of the country, energy efficiency will undoubtedly become a key factor in addressing the problem.

The solution: smart grid technology. Simply put, it allows "smart" electric meters to communicate with utility providers and track power consumption by the hour, so customers can adjust usage habits to take advantage of lower, off-peak rates (for example, running a dishwasher in the middle of the night to pay $0.06 a kilowatt hour, instead of the $0.12 daytime rate). The technology doesn't only benefit the residential customer. Utilities can use smart grid technology to increase electric capacity during busy periods without having to buy energy at peak prices on the open market or build additional power plants (with the added benefit of helping them meet new federal power reliability standards). And Washington is pushing smart grids to help prevent brownouts and blackouts caused by overburdened grid systems and as a way to reduce total energy consumption, which in turn would help to curb carbon emissions and halt global warming.
 
New Jersey-based Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq: COMV) specializes in utility efficiency technology, providing products and services for power grids. The company offers demand-management solutions to help utilities find ways to reduce electricity use when energy is in highest demand, decreasing energy consumption, which, in turn, increases available capacity. Emission-free and touted for its cost efficiency (it is 40% cheaper than building new generators or transmission lines), the smart grid can be run by utilities using the technology (paying Comverge a flat fee based on the number of devices installed), or the management process can be outsourced to Comverge, who charges a fee for each kilowatt hour saved.

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:

Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: CSIQ), CDC Corp. (Nasdaq: CHINA) and China Finance Online Co. (Nasdaq: JRJC) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

Here’s a shocking fact: electricity demand in North America will increase 19% over the next 10 years, but generation capacity will increase only 6%, according to the North American Electric Reliablity Council.

Electricity cannot be easily stored but rather must be generated and delivered as needed. As a result, maintaining a reliable power system requires real-time balancing between supply and demand. Inadequate existing grid systems, however, coupled with lack of infrastructure investment and rising peak demand, have increased the frequency of electricity brownouts and blackouts, which collectively costs the United States $80 billion in productivity losses annually.

Enter Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq: COMV), and EnerNOC, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENOC), two small caps that provide services enabling electric utilities to increase grid reliability and available electricity capacity during periods of peak demand.

EnerNOC is in the business of helping power suppliers and their customers balance electricity supply and demand. Its Network Operations Center remotely manages electricity consumption across a network of commercial, institutional and industrial customer sites. During periods of peak demand, EnerNOC makes capacity available to its electric power grid operator and utility customers by reducing consumption from its participating end-user customers. Power suppliers pay EnerNOC for these services and the company shares a portion of revenues with end-user customers.

By enabling utilities to meet peak demand, the company provides a cost-effective alternative to new power plants and transmission lines. About 10% of infrastructure is built to supply electricity during periods of peak demand that occur less than 1% of the time. EnerNOC can help utilities reduce required infrastructure spending by more than $5.9 billion per year. 

So far, EnerNOC’s performance has been impressive.

The Russell 2000 eked out a gain but the Dow slipped following news that the U.S. Federal Reserve has decided to leave interest rates unchanged. The Russell 2000 added 0.57 points, or 0.07%, to finish at 839.03. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 5.45 points, or 0.04%, to 13,422.28.

The federal funds rate will remain at 5.25%, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced this afternoon. The central bank also reiterated that its “predominant” policy concern is that inflation will not moderate as expected.

The dominant news before the Fed’s decision came out was that U.S. economic growth for the first quarter was revised up to 0.7%, but still came in below expectations.