Tag - Ctel

Tongxin International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TXIC), SmartHeat Inc. (Nasdaq:HEAT) and City Telecom Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:CTEL) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Valassis Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:VCI), GHL Acquisition Units (Nasdaq:GHQ.U), Sourcefire Inc. (Nasdaq:FIRE), Alliance Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:ALNC), SXC Health Solutions Corp. (Nasdaq:SXCI) and China Green Agriculture Inc. (Nasdaq:CGA).

EchoStar Corp. (Nasdaq:SATS), ShengdaTech Inc. (Nasdaq:SDTH) and Brigham Exploration Co. (Nasdaq:BEXP) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Deerfield Capital Corp. (Nasdaq:DFR), Schawk Inc (Nasdaq:SGK), Tongxin International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TXIC), Massmutual Participation Investors (Nasdaq:MPV), Williams Controls Inc. (Nasdaq:WMCO) and City Telecom Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:CTEL).

China Precision Steel Inc (Nasdaq:CPSL), City Telecom Ltd (Nasdaq:CTEL) and Pyramid Oil Co (Nasdaq:PDO) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Royale Energy Inc (Nasdaq:ROYL), China Technology Development Group Corp (Nasdaq:CTDC) and Cheniere Energy Inc (Nasdaq:LNG) are also among the biggest percentage gainers.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is continuing its strides in the green midday after a more favorable-than-anticipated leading indicators report distracted traders from climbing oil prices for most of the session. A slew of news from the tech sector also pushed stocks higher midday.

At 12:39 p.m. ET, the Russell had gained 5.70, or 0.77%, to 746.87, while the Dow leaped 133.61, or 1.03%, to 13120.41.

The Leading Indicators report, which aims to predict turning points in the economy, was up 0.1% for April, slightly better than forecasted, and up from a decline in both March and February.

Investors shrugged off a tapered economic outlook from The National Association of Business Economists, or NABE. The group lowered its forecast for economic growth in 2008 to 1.4% from a previously projected 1.8% in February.  Fifty-six percent now think the economy will slide into a recession this year, but that the recession will be short and shallow.
 
“Expect more of this type of reporting with consumer confidence at extremes and potential for a drop of consumer spending to drag U.S. GDP down,” Andy Busch, global foreign exchange strategist for BMO Capital Markets, said in an email. “It's pretty clear that we've had a wave of optimism stemming from a benign U.S. unemployment number and a slew of hawkish Fed commentary with a small US dollar rally.  It's going to be hard to sustain a longer rally in both equities and the U.S. dollar until we can see monthly U.S. housing inventories reduced and we'll get the best indication this Friday with U.S. existing home sales.” 

Pomeroy IT Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:PMRY), Synaptics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SYNA) and GTSI Corp. (Nasdaq:GTSI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

ARC Wireless Solutions (Nasdaq:ARCW), First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp (Nasdaq:FFNM) and City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. (Nasdaq:CTEL) are also among the top small-cap percentage gainers.

Here are Tuesday's biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

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

The bulls look poised for action this morning despite news of a third consecutive monthly decline in orders for durable goods.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that orders for durable goods, which are supposed to last at least three years, declined 0.4% in October to $214.45 billion. Economists were expecting orders to stay flat after falling a downwardly revised 1.4% in September.

That tells us that businesses are reining in spending, which feeds fears of a coming slowdown in economic growth.

Investors will also have their eyes on other economic data set to be released later today. The National Association of Realtors will announce home sales for October at 10 a.m. ET, while the U.S. Federal Reserve will release its “beige book” of information about regional economic conditions at 2 p.m. ET.

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:

• China Finance Online Co. Ltd. (JRJC), up 15% on news it has completed the acquisition of 85% equity interest of a licensed securities brokerage firm in Hong Kong.
• City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. (CTEL), up 9%.
• Neutral Tandem, Inc. (TNDM), up 6%.

Biggest percentage losers:

• BIDZ.com, Inc. (BIDZ), down 16% on news the CEO has denied a report claiming the company engages in shill bidding, holds excessive inventory.
• Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENT) down 15% on news of a fiscal fourth-quarter net loss.
• Tercica Inc. (TRCA) down 8%.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are in positive territory this morning as investors pin their hopes on the retail sector.

At 10:26 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 8.25 points, or 1.11%, to 748.55. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had advanced 88.36 points, or 0.69%, to 12,887.40.

The stock exchange will close at 1 p.m. ET today due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

All eyes are on retailers today, the so-called “Black Friday”, when millions of Americans do their holiday shopping and when retailers become profitable for the year.

Black Friday is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, when stores open earlier than usual and handle an increased number of holiday shoppers looking for bargains. Retailers nationwide are introducing discounts and other strategies to get Americans to spend despite high energy prices and lower house prices that have combined to negatively affect consumer spending.

The bulls are hoping to see strong retail sales.

In other economic news, former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said today that U.S. house prices have not yet hit their low point. Speaking to an audience in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, Greenspan pointed to the large number unsold homes and said that the decline in house prices in unprecedented.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are higher and the small-cap index will open with a rise as investors focus on the U.S. retail sector.

With little business news and no major economic releases due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday, the retail sector will be grabbing headlines.  Today is the so-called “Black Friday”, the day when millions of Americans do their holiday shopping and when retailers become profitable for the year.

Black Friday is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year and typically marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers and losers in pre-market trading among companies with a market cap between $100 million and $750 million:


• China Precision Steel, Inc. (CPSL), up 9%.
• China Fire & Security Group, Inc. (CFSG), up 6%.
• Qiao Xing Universal Telephone, Inc. (XING), up 5%.


• City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. (CTEL), down 16% following the release of its quarterly and annual financial results.
• Sify Technologies Ltd. (LYTS) down 4%.
• Hibbett Sports Inc. (HIBB) down 1%.

Triad Guaranty Inc. (Nasdaq: TGIC), Graham Corp. (AMEX: GHM) and US BioEnergy Corp. (Nasdaq: USBE) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

Heelys, Inc. (Nasdaq: HLYS), Rick's Cabaret Int'l, Inc. (Nasdaq: RICK) and Mattson Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTSN) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

Fonar Corp. (Nasdaq: FONR), WSI Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: WSCI) and A. Schulman, Inc. (Nasdaq: SHLM) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

China Techfaith Wireless Comm. Tech. Ltd. (Nasdaq: CNTF), City Telecom (H.K.)Ltd (Nasdaq: CTEL) and Yucheng Technologies Ltd (Nasdaq: YTEC) are the most actively traded companies in Wednesday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

Occam Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCNW), Fuwei Films Co., Ltd (Nasdaq: FFHL) and Schmitt Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMIT) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are slightly higher but the small-cap index will be weighed down by a spike in the price of oil and unimpressive economic news.

The price of oil has continued climbing to record highs, up more than $0.50 and approaching $87 a barrel. Investors are pointing to tight inventories as winter approaches and tensions along the border between Iraq and Turkey.

Overseas, the major indices in Europe fell after Swedish maker of wireless infrastructure equipment Ericsson warned that its third-quarter profit will decline 36% due to lower demand.

Contributing to the bearish mood before the start of trading is news after the close on Monday that U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke told the Economic Club of New York that the stagnation in the housing sector will be a drag on economic growth going into 2008.

Investors will be waiting to see an index an index on September industrial production, scheduled to be released at 9:15 a.m. ET. The measure is expected to show a slowdown.

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:

• China Precision Steel, Inc. (CPSL), up 9%.
• Anesiva Inc. (ANSV), up 9% on news of a successful drug trial.
• China GrenTech Corporation Ltd. (GRRF), up 7%.

Biggest percentage losers:

• BioScrip Inc. (BIOS), down 9%.
• City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. (CTEL), down 8%.
• IXYS Corp. (IXYS), down 8%.

China Precision Steel, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPSL), City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTEL) and Gladstone Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: GLAD) are the most actively traded companies in Tuesday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

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

With no major economic news coming out today, investors will focus on mergers, acquisitions and corporate earnings.

Grabbing the headlines this morning is news that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) suffered a 57% drop in its third-quarter profit. New York-based Citigroup, the largest U.S. bank, reported a net income of $2.38 billion, or $0.47 per share, compared with $5.51 billion, or $1.10 a share, during the same quarter a year earlier.

The financial giant blamed losses from subprime and leveraged loans, fixed-income trading and its U.S. consumer business for the decline in earnings.

Elsewhere, industrial and consumer products manufacturer Danaher Corp. (NYSE: DHR) announced that it will buy measurement equipment maker Tektronix Inc. (NYSE: TEK) for $2.85 billion. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2007.

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:

• SORL Auto Parts, Inc. (SORL), up 12%.
• Fuel Tech Inc. (FTEK), up 10%.
• Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (BECN), up 7%.

Biggest percentage losers:

• City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. (CTEL), down 6%.
• BankUnited Financial Corp. (BKUNA), down 5%.
• American Railcar Industries, Inc. (ARII), down 3%.

The bulls ran the show today as the Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) posted solid gains on news of strong September U.S. retail sales. The small-cap index added 6.19 points, or 0.74%, to 841.17. The Dow advanced 77.96 points, or 0.56%, to 14,093.08.

The bears were hibernating today as investors reacted to news that retail sales for September increased 0.6% to $380.2 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau before the opening. That surprised economists, who were expecting a rise of 0.2%.

Retail sales excluding motor vehicles and parts also outpaced analysts’ projections, rising 0.4% instead of the expected 0.3%.

The numbers suggest that the American consumer remains resilient in the face of the ongoing housing slump.

However, Kurt Karl, head of Economic Research and Consulting for the North American operations of reinsurance company Swiss Re, cautioned against an overly optimistic interpretation of the data.

“Total retail sales were strong, but excluding autos, they were up 0.4—compensating for last month’s decline of 0.4%,” Karl said in an e-mail.  “Compared to a year ago, retail sales after-inflation are close to 2%, which is weak, but not disastrous.”

Karl explained that the weakness stems from stagnant sales of furniture and building materials, which have been affected by the problems in the housing sector.

In other economic news, a measure of consumer sentiment for October unexpectedly fell, indicating that consumers are cautious about their future spending.

Coldwater Creek Inc. (Nasdaq: CWTR), City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTEL) and Feldman Mall Properties, Inc. (NYSE: FMP) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTEL), Origin Agritech Ltd. (Nasdaq: SEED) and Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCE) are the most actively traded companies in Friday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

An abrupt late-session reversal pushed down the Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU), wiping out strong gains that came despite weak retail sales. The small-cap index lost 10.21 points, or 1.21%, to 834.98. The Dow tumbled 63.57 points, or 0.45%, to 14,015.12.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 is up 6%, while the Dow has advanced 12.4%.

Small caps were on track for a strong close and the Dow was in record territory until about 2 p.m. ET, when an abrupt turnout erased all gains and resulted in steep losses.

There appear to be a number of factors that combined to push equities off the cliff.

Financial services giant JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) announced staff reductions due to the lower volume of leveraged finance and structured credit, while also lowering its sales estimate for Chinese search engine Baidu—a move that resulted in a decline of major U.S. tech stocks.

Meanwhile, Countrywide Financial Corp. (NYSE: CFC) announced that September mortgage lending tumbled a stunning 44.3% from a year earlier due to tighter lending standards and the ongoing housing slump.

Trading got off to a bullish start following news that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) raised its third-quarter profit outlook.

Positive news from the world’s largest retailer overshadowed generally weak same-store results for September. Retailers blamed the warm weather, which made it difficult to sell cold-weather items.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow are posting solid gains with half the trading session left to go. At 12:57 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had advanced 5.94 points, or 0.70%, to 851.13. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 97.30 points, or 0.69%, to 14,175.99, above its record close on Tuesday.

Futures were pointing up in pre-market trading following news that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) raised its third-quarter profit outlook, a sign that the American consumer remains alive and well.

The upbeat forecast comes despite a second-quarter same-store sales increase of 1.4%, which was at the low end of the Bentonville, Ark.-based company’s projections.

Stocks opened higher and have not looked down since.

However, retailers posted generally weak same-store results for September due to unusually warm weather that stalled sales of cold-weather merchandise. Same-store sales growth during the month was the slowest in three years.

Bucking the trend was women’s fashion chain Cache Inc. (Nasdaq: CACH), a small-cap retailer, which reported quarterly sales above Wall Street’s expectations.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices opened in positive territory on good economic news and an upbeat forecast from Wal-Mart.

At 10:16 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 4.52 points, or 0.53%, to 849.71. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had advanced 77.39 points, or 0.55%, to 14,156.08.

Retailers posted generally weak same-store results for September due to unusually warm weather that stalled sales of cold-weather merchandise. Among small-cap retailers, Gottschalks Inc. (NYSE: GOT) and department store chain The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: BONT) reported same-store sales declines of 3.9% and 6.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, home accessories retailer Tuesday Morning Corp. (Nasdaq: TUES) missed analysts’ projected first-quarter sales forecast.

However, the bulls seized on news that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) raised its third-quarter profit outlook despite second-quarter results that came in at the low end of its expectations.

In economic news, jobless claims for the week ended Oct. 6 fell by 12,000 to a level of 308,000, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

Elsewhere, U.S. import prices rose in September due to more expensive oil and food, but August U.S. exports increased 0.4% to $138.34 billion, while imports fell 0.4% to $195.92 billion. The Commerce Department also reported that the U.S. trade deficit contracted 2.4% to $57.59 billion in August, from $59.00 billion a month earlier.

Irvine, Calif.-based ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISTA) reported is is selling up to $100 million in common and preferred stock.

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

Datalink Corp. (Nasdaq: DTLK) slashed its second-quarter earnings outlook to a loss of between $0.03 and $0.05 per share. Previously, the computer storage company had expected earnings-per-share of between $0.02 and $0.07. Wall Street analysts are expecting earnings-per-share of $0.06.

Electronics and microwave components company Anaren, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANEN) announced that accounting mishaps at its Chinese subsidiary may cause the company to restate its second and third quarter results.

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

Shares in The Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq: ARTL) are up over 11% despite news after Wednesday’s close that the Stamford, Conn.-based company’s CFO and Vice President Dean Johnson intends to sell 13,000 shares before June 16, according to an SEC filing.

TravelCenters of America LLC (AMEX: TA) shares are up more than 8% following the announcement before the start of trading Thursday that Volvo Trucks (Nasdaq: VOLV) sold the Westlake, Ohio-based truck stop operator its 28.86% interest in Petro Stopping Centers. TravelCenters now has a controlling interest in Petro. Petro owns and operates 44 travel centers, franchises 24 and operates one travel center as a joint venture. TravelCenters operates 164 travel centers.

Shares in USA Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAT) are up more than 10% following an announcement Thursday before trading that Coca-Cola will buy USA’s e-Port wireless non-cash technology for use in vending machines. According to an SEC filing, USA will receive 5% of the cashless revenues and a monthly $9.95 fee per unit for each vending machine using USA’s technology. The Malvern, Penn.-based company said it expects up to 7,500 e-Ports to be installed by August 31.

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

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

Shares of Hong Kong-based City Telecom Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTEL) are rising following news that the telecommunications company returned to profitability in the first half of fiscal 2007.

Profits attributable to shareholders for the six months ended Feb. 28 were HK$18.2 million, compared with a net loss of HK$55.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2006, City Telecom reported before the opening bell.