Tag - Crmt

Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. (Nasdaq:APT), BofI Holding Inc. (Nasdaq:BOFI) and Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX) are among the new 52-week highs in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), Brigham Exploration Co. (Nasdaq:BEXP) and America's Car-Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. (Nasdaq:APT), Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (Nasdaq:SVA), NB&T Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:NBTF), Ardea Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq:RDEA), American Physicians Capital Inc. (Nasdaq:ACAP) and BTU International Inc. (Nasdaq:BTUI).

Bancorp Bank (Nasdaq:TBBK), America's Car-Mart Inc (Nasdaq:CRMT) and Methode Electronics Inc (Nasdaq:MEI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Sonic Corp (Nasdaq:SONC), Measurement Specialties Inc (Nasdaq:MEAS), Codorus Valley Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:CVLY), Align Technology Inc (Nasdaq:ALGN), FGX International Holdings Ltd (Nasdaq:FGXI) and Financial Institutions Inc (Nasdaq:FISI).

International Speedway Corp. (Nasdaq:ISCA), TAL International Group Inc. (Nasdaq:TAL) and Celadon Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CLDN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Penske Automotive Group Inc. (Nasdaq:PAG), Monroe Bancorp. (Nasdaq:MROE), Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (Nasdaq:GPI), Albany International Corp. (Nasdaq:AIN), Mercury Computer Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:MRCY) and America's Car-Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT).

Allos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTH), Otelco Inc. (Nasdaq:OTT) and Blyth Inc. (Nasdaq:BTH) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: K Swiss Inc. (Nasdaq:KSWS), Heritage Crystal Clean Inc. (Nasdaq:HCCI), Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX), Vail Resorts Inc. (Nasdaq:MTN), VIST Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:VIST) and America's Car-Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT).

Intersections Inc (Nasdaq:INTX), QC Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:QCCO) and Polypore International Inc (Nasdaq:PPO) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: CPI International Inc (Nasdaq:CPII), Grey Wolf Inc (Nasdaq:GW), America's Car-Mart Inc (Nasdaq:CRMT), Vitran Corp Inc (Nasdaq:VTNC), Insulet Corp (Nasdaq:PODD) and Kimball International Inc (Nasdaq:KBALB).

Small-cap stocks jumped higher on the opening, a welcome sign after the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) suffered the largest one-day loss of the year on Monday. Buying interest was stirred by optimism for a bail-out of beleaguered U.S. automakers, anticipation for another round of global rate cuts and just a plain old oversold bounce after Mondays’s rout. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (NYSE:MRX), Wright Express Corp. (NYSE:WXS) and Clinical Data Inc.  (Nasdaq:CLDA).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• New data out: retail sales down 0.4% on a year-over-year basis for the week, down 0.9% in Nov. from last year, while off 1.1% from Oct.  
• On the open, crude oil prices were up about $0.40 a barrel, and energy stocks were up about 2.4%.  
• Commodity markets stabilized this morning, which was a big relief after crude oil collapsed 9% Monday.  
• The Reserve Bank of Australia slashed 100 basis points off their benchmark rate last night, which was much more aggressive than expected.
• Investors were hopeful for another round of global rate cuts to stimulate the world out of recession.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. gapped higher and was up about 17% as the skin treatment firm resolved a patent dispute to license a generic version of it’s acne drug. See (NYSE:MRX).  
• Wright Express Corp. rose 13% as the payment processing firm basically recovered Monday’s big slide. See (NYSE:WXS).
• Clinical Data Inc. rose 11% as the biotech company bounce off Monday’s severe decline amid a dearth of fresh news. See (Nasdaq:CLDA).
• America's Car-Mart Q2 earnings rise; shares climb 6.3% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:CRMT).


Small Cap Losers:

• Palm Inc. tumbled 34% as the smart phone maker lowered quarterly projections. See (Nasdaq:PALM).
• Enzon scraps spinoff of biotech division; shares tumble 16% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:ENZN).
• Solarfun Power swings to Q3 loss; shares drop nearly 13% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:SOLF).  
• Skyworks Solutions Inc. gapped lower and slumped 13% after the analog semiconductor firm lowered guidance. See (Nasdaq:SWKS).  

Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (Nasdaq:HMIN), Signature Bank (Nasdaq:SBNY) and Biodel Inc. (Nasdaq:BIOD) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF), Cardica Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDC), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR), America's Car-Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT) and Crocs Inc. (Nasdaq:CROX).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Gehl Co. (Nasdaq:GEHL), Nevada Chemicals Inc.(Nasdaq:NCEM) and Meritage Homes Corp. (Nasdaq:MTH) are among the new 52-week highs in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: America's Car-Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT), United Financial Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:UBNK), Amrep Corp. (Nasdaq:AXR), AMERISAFE Inc. (Nasdaq:AMSF), Suffolk Bankcorp (Nasdaq:SUBK) and Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HGR).

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

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) and America's Car-Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Medivation Inc. (Nasdaq:MDVN), Savvis Inc. (Nasdaq:SVVS), China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN), Westport Innovations Inc. (Nasdaq:WPRT), ShengdaTech Inc. (Nasdaq:SDTH) and OraSure Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:OSUR).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Ezcorp Inc (Nasdaq:EZPW), Republic Banc KY (Nasdaq:RBCAA) and Eurand NV (Nasdaq:EURX) are among the new 52-week highs in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Stepan Co (Nasdaq:SCL), Vivus Inc (Nasdaq:VVUS), NN Inc (Nasdaq:NNBR), Almost Family Inc (Nasdaq:AFAM), America's Car-Mart Inc (Nasdaq:CRMT) and Safety Insurance Group Inc (Nasdaq:SAFT).

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

America's Car-Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT) is up 3% today to a 52-week high as the cost of crude continues to drop. Crude prices fell from record highs and are at about $134.61 per barrel at 2:45 p.m. ET. The Bentonville, Ark.-based automotive retailer has felt the pinch of high gas prices and the slowing economy, but it has managed to maintain steady growth. The stock is up 59% since January.

In today’s trading, America’s Car-Mart is at $19.93, up $0.60 from Tuesday’s close. The stock hit a high for the year of $20 around midday.  

Digimarc Corp (Nasdaq:DMRC), T 3 Energy Services Inc (Nasdaq:TTES) and America's Car-Mart Inc (Nasdaq:CRMT) are among the new 52-week highs in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Stepan Co (Nasdaq:SCL), Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc (Nasdaq:HGR), Approach Resources Inc (Nasdaq:AREX), Darwin Professional Underwriters Inc (Nasdaq:DR), Diamond Foods Inc (Nasdaq:DMND) and KBL Healthcare Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq:KHA).

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

America's Car-Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT) jumped to a 52-week high Monday after it was announced the auto retailer had joined the Russell 3000 Index when it was reconstituted on June 27. On Monday, America’s Car-Mart topped at $19.40, hitting a new high for the year on above-average volume. The Bentonville, Ark.-based company also posted strong fourth-quarter earnings last week. America’s Car-Mart reported a fourth-quarter net income of $6.05 million, or $0.51 per share, compared with $2.1 million, or $0.17 a share, for the same period a year ago.

Community Bankshares, Inc. (AMEX:SCB), Photon Dynamics, Inc. (Nasdaq:PHTN) and AspenBio Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:APPY) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG), America's Car-Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT), Oneida Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:ONFC), Ener1, Inc. (AMEX:HEV), and Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABAT).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

America's Car-Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT) announced Thursday it had tripled its fourth- quarter earnings, which sent its stock up more than 15%. The Bentonville, Ariz.-based company had net income of $6 million, or $0.51 per share, compared with $2.1 million, or $0.17 per share, for the same quarter a year ago. The fourth-quarter results beat analyst estimates of $0.29 per share. The automotive retailer said the improved earnings were the result of both improved advertising and car selections. America’s Car-Mart traded at $16.92, up about 15.1% from Wednesday’s close.

Small-cap stocks took a nosedive on the opening, knocked to the canvas by yet another rout in financial stocks and by a dramatic morning plunge in technology stocks. At 10:03 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 8.99, or 1.25%, at 707.31, reaching the lowest point since April 24.

The tech-laden Nasdaq 100 Index was off about 2% this morning, with big-name tech stocks like Research in Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM) and Oracle Corp. (Nasdaq:ORCL) leading a jolting slide in the tech arena to start the day. RIMM shares were off 10% as its forward guidance disappointed. Oracle reported solid quarterly results, but provided a cautious outlook for the next quarter. Shares for the third-largest software maker were off 3% early.

The selling mood was also fueled this morning by a steep climb in crude oil prices, which shot back above $138 dollars a barrel. Commodity markets look firm to start the day amid a soft tone in the U.S. dollar. Corn prices are called sharply higher, copper prices were up 1.5% overseas and aluminum prices are up 10% so far in June, which keeps nagging inflation fears right in front of the market at a difficult time for the economy and for interest rate policy makers.

Analyst downgrades also took a toll on stocks this morning as researchers at Goldman Sachs lowered its rating on General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) overnight to a “sell” from “neutral,” and the stock tumbled 10% shortly after the open. Goldman put Citigroup (NYSE:C) on its sell list and the nation’s top bank slumped more than 5% early. Goldman also slashed its rating on the brokerage industry, so those stocks could be under pressure this morning as well. Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) shares were off 4%, joining the weakness seen in financial shares after the opening.

Financial stocks were taking a hit overseas, with European bank Fortis sinking some 10% on news that it will cancel its dividend and raise capital. European stocks were also off more than 1% heading into the U.S. open, while Asia shares were . . .

Vivus Inc (Nasdaq:VVUS), ATA Inc (Nasdaq:ATAI) and America's Car-Mart Inc (Nasdaq:CRMT) are among the new 52-week highs in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Third Wave Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:TWTI), Heckmann Corp (Nasdaq:HEK) and Westwood Holdings Group Inc (Nasdaq:WHG) are also among the new 52-week highs.

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

ATA Inc (Nasdaq:ATAI), GeoResources Inc (Nasdaq:GEOI) and Pyramid Oil Co (Nasdaq:PDO) are among the new 52-week highs in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Sutor Technology Group Ltd (Nasdaq:SUTR), America's Car-Mart Inc (Nasdaq:CRMT) and RAM Energy Resources Inc (Nasdaq:RAME) are also among the new 52-week highs.

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

Integral Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:ISYS), Cardionet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT) and Danvers Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:DNBK) were among the new 52-week highs established during Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations or values under $750 million.

Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. (Nasdaq:GIFI), Zoll Medical Corp. (Nasdaq:ZOLL) and America's Car-Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT) were also among the 52-week small-cap highs.

Here are Monday's 52-week small-cap highs:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices have sunk deeper into negative territory.

At 12:00 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had declined 11.39 points, or 1.66%, to 672.83. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had shed 177.88 points, or 1.45%, to 12,081.02.

The bears are out following worrying news from major corporate players. Chip maker Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) announced after the close on Monday that it has lowered its first-quarter gross margin forecast to 54% from 56% earlier due to lower-than-expected prices for some flash memory chips.

Elsewhere, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) reported before the opening that it may have to cut as many as 30,000 jobs over the next year and a half due to writedowns related to the subprime mortgage mess. Additionally, the New York-based bank might need to raise more capital to get over the current rough patch.

Speaking to the Independent Community Bankers of America, U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke called on mortgage lenders to help financially stretched borrowers avoid default.

CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI), American Electric Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: AETI) and Hoku Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOKU) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

Shares of America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRMT) are driving in the fast lane on news before the start of trading that the automotive retailer swung to a fiscal second-quarter profit.

Net income for the three months ended Oct. 31 was $3.5 million, or $0.29 per share, compared with a net loss of $1.9 million, or $0.16 per share, a year earlier. Six analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting earnings of $0.16 per share.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based company, which operates 93 dealerships in nine states, reported that revenues increased 14.6% to $68.2 million compared with $59.5 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The result is above analysts’ projected revenue of $60.87 million.

“Vehicle sales were strong during the quarter as we are beginning to realize the benefits of our increased advertising efforts and numerous sales initiatives,” said Chairman T. J. Falgout, III in a statement. “Also, our recent initiatives related to vehicle acquisition and improved car quality are having a positive effect on both sales and collections.”

America’s Car-Mart reported that vehicle sales increased 7.8% to 6,914, compared with 6,413 in the same period a year ago, while same-store revenue added 12.3%.

At 11:56 a.m. ET, shares of America’s Car-Mart (CRMT) had climbed $1.52, or 14%, to $12.20. The 52-week high of $14.20 was established on July 20, while the 52-week low of $10.27 was set on Feb. 1.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) opened in negative territory as credit jitters continue to weigh down the financial sector.

At 10:26 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was down 6.54 points, or 0.86%, to 753.43. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had lost 36.25 points, or 0.27%, to 13,278.32.

The futures were pointing down and stocks predictably opened with a drop on news that JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) downgraded Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC), Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) to “sell” from “market perform.”

All three New York-based financial services companies had invested in securities backed by subprime mortgages and have been negatively affected by the slump in the U.S. housing sector.

Financial stocks have been taking a beating over the past months, and today JPMorgan lowered its estimates for the sector’s fiscal fourth quarter and 2008.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are down and the small-cap index will probably open with a drop.

The bears are ready to go on news that an analyst with JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) downgraded Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC), Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) to “sell” from “market perform.”

All three New York-based financial services companies have invested in securities backed by subprime mortgages and have been negatively affected by the slump in the U.S. housing sector.

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:

• America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (CRMT), up 17% on news it swung to a fiscal second-quarter profit.
• U.S Auto Parts Network (PRTS), up 5%.
• Cache Inc. (CACH), up 5%.

Biggest percentage losers:

• China GrenTech Corporation Ltd. (GRRF), down 7%.
• Paragon Shipping Inc. (PRGN) down 6%.
• Parallel Petroleum Corp. (PLLL) down 5% on news it has raised its credit facility to $200 million from $150 million.

On a midday Thursday conference call, executives of America's Car-Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRMT) said the company plans to increase the number of high-price sales, expand into the Hispanic market and lower operating expenses.

Car-Mart is a used car dealership chain that operates 91 locations primarily in the south and midwest. To increase the number of high-price sales, The Bentonville, Ark.-based company developed a computer database that enables the company to more effectively market to customers who are in a position to buy premium cars, company officials said.

Car-Mart also began selling in Arkansas and Alabama car protection plans that will forgive debt if a car is stolen. The company plans to expand this offering nationwide. The car protection plan has had high penetration where it is available, CEO Tim Falgout said on the call. He declined to tell an inquiring investor how much the plan costs.

“If you want to buy a car, then I’ll tell you,” Falgout said.

To improve operating expenses, Falgout said Car-Mart is going to scrutinize purchase costs, retail pricing and repair costs. Car-Mart’s gross margins are expected to be better in the next quarter, Falgout said. The gross margins will be impacted by a lower mix of repossessed wholesale vehicles, he said. Also, he said the high cost of car repair was partly to blame for the company’s dreary fourth-quarter results.