Tag - Cxsp

Acxiom Corp. (Nasdaq:ACXM), Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:AKT) and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (Nasdaq:JTX) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Alyst Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq:AYA), Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CLDX), Encore Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq:EBTX), Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:RJET), Chemgenex Pharm Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:CXSP) and Old Second Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:OSBC).

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. (Nasdaq:ULTA), Hansen Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:HNSN) and American Oriental Bioengineering Inc. (Nasdaq:AOB) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Zion Oil and Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:ZN), Chemgenex Pharm Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:CXSP), IRIS International Inc. (Nasdaq:IRIS), HSN Inc. (Nasdaq:HSNI), DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN) and Delta Petroleum Corp. (Nasdaq:DPTR).

Ameron International Corp. (Nasdaq:AMN), CRA International Inc. (Nasdaq:CRAI) and California First National Bancorp (Nasdaq:CFNB) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Chemgenex Pharm Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:CXSP), H&E Equipment Services Inc. (Nasdaq:HEES), C&F  Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:CFFI), LSB Corp. (Nasdaq:LSBX), AZZ Inc. (Nasdaq:AZZ) and Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp. (Nasdaq:TYG).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Spectranetics Corp. (Nasdaq:SPNC), Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania Inc. (Nasdaq:RBPAA) and Hoku Scientific Inc. (Nasdaq:HOKU) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Atlantic Southern Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ASFN), Chemgenex Pharm Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:CXSP), Shiloh Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:SHLO), Marlin Business Services Corp. (Nasdaq:MRLN), Website Pros Inc. (Nasdaq:WWWW) and Material Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq:MSC).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Lincoln Bancorp (Nasdaq:LNCB), Western Refining Inc. (Nasdaq:WNR) and Medivation Inc. (Nasdaq:MDVN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Newport Corp. (Nasdaq:NEWP), Timberland Co. (Nasdaq:TBL), Noble International Ltd. (Nasdaq:NOBL), Banner Corp. (Nasdaq:BANR), Chemgenex Pharm (Nasdaq:CXSP) and United Natural Foods Inc. (Nasdaq:UNFI).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Chemgenex Pharm (Nasdaq:CXSP), LSB Corp (Nasdaq: LBSX) and Zumiez Inc (Nasdaq:ZUMZ) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.     

Also included among the results: Cato Corp (Nasdaq:CTR), Deltek Inc (Nasdaq:PROJ), RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp (Nasdaq:RXII), Princeton National Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:PNBC), Micromet Inc (Nasdaq:MITI) and Torch Energy Royalty Trust (Nasdaq:TRU).   

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:    

CastlePoint Holdings (Nasdaq:CPHL), Dixie Group Inc (Nasdaq:DXYN) and athenahealth Inc (Nasdaq:ATHN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Chemgenex Pharm (Nasdaq:CXSP), Transcat Inc (Nasdaq:TRNS), Pilgrim's Pride Corp (Nasdaq:PPC), Cutera Inc (Nasdaq:CUTR), Maiden Holdings Ord Shs (Nasdaq:MHLD) and LandAmerica Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:LFG).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Biotechnology investments often offer big risks, but huge potential rewards. New drugs, such as ones in development by Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) and ChemGenex (Nasdaq:CXSP), can provide multi-billion dollar payoffs once sales commence.

Emergent BioSolutions is a profitable biopharmaceutical company developing immunobiotics for use against infectious diseases. Its lead product, BioThrax, is the only FDA-approved vaccine for preventing anthrax, a potential bioterrorism weapon spread by airborne bacteria. BioThrax sales were $169.8 million in 2007, and Emergent has already supplied over 16 million doses of BioThrax to U.S. government agencies. Last year the company entered into a three-year $448 million deal with the U.S. government to supply an additional 18.75 million doses. About 12 million remain to be delivered on this contract. The cash flow from BioThrax sales is being used to fund the development of new vaccines. Emergent has vaccine candidates for typhoid and hepatitis B in late-stage development, and is working on a post-exposure anthrax therapeutic, along with early stage development vaccine candidates for botulinum, group B streptococcus and Chlamydia.

Emergent’s typhoid vaccine candidate entered Phase II clinical trials this July. Study results are expected by year-end and Phase III trials are likely to commence in 2009. Typhoid poses a major health threat in many developing countries with an estimated 22 million cases occurring each year. Typhoid vaccines exist but require multiple doses to be effective. Emergent has the only single-dose preventative. The company’s hepatitis B vaccine candidate is also in Phase II trials. Hepatitis B infections are a serious global health problem with an estimated 350 million chronically infected cases worldwide. In addition, animal studies are underway of an anthrax immune globulin therapeutic designed for post-exposure use, and human clinical trials are scheduled for 2009. 

In addition to its in-house research, Emergent fills out its product pipeline with late-stage compounds acquired from others. It recently acquired an anthrax post-exposure therapeutic from AVANIR and an anthrax vaccine candidate from VaxGen that has already completed Phase II studies. In addition, Emergent is acquiring FluBlok, a recombinant flu vaccine candidate in Phase III trials and other product candidates from Protein Sciences. FluBlok is the industry’s first recombinant influenza . . .

Acme Packet Inc. (Nasdaq:APKT), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON) and ARYx Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ARYX) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Pyramid Oil Company (AMEX:PDO), Gushan Environmental Energy Limited (NYSE:GU), Security Bank Corp. (Nasdaq:SBKC), ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Limited (Nasdaq:CXSP), Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR) and Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq:CXSP) wants to share an ancient Chinese secret with the world, one that could provide a knockout punch to a form of leukemia resisting other treatment.

Recent announcements from the Australian company with a California research base triggered interest in the American Depository Receipts of ChemGenex — and given hope to those diagnosed with one of the four main types of leukemia.

For U.S. investors looking at ChemGenex’s Nasdaq-traded shares, or at the shares on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:CXS), it could be difficult to calculate the biotech company’s financial health. The SEC filings lack quarterly updates, and few analysts follow ChemGenex, though two in Australia rate it a “buy.”

Its homeland shares are trading around $1 Australian. On the Nasdaq, ChemGenex has risen 80% since January. Shares hit a 52-week low of $8.58 last Aug. 28, and a high of $26.99 on Tuesday. ChemGenex closed at $23.50 on Friday.

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals was formed in 2004 from the merger of AGT BioSciences of Melbourne, with ChemGenex Therapeutics of Menlo Park, Calif. It united AGT’s focus on genetic discoveries in treating cancer, diabetes, obesity and depression, with ChemGenex Therapeutics’ application of genomic technologies to cancer treatment. A late 2007 spinoff of its metabolic disease business focuses on cancer.

With headquarters in Geelong, Victoria, ChemGenex is guiding omacetaxine mepesuccinate, derived from the Chinese yew tree, through final patient trials. The substance received U.S. fast-track approval for clinical trials to treat chronic . . .

Tri-Valley Corp (Nasdaq:TIV), Park View Federal Savings Bank (Nasdaq:PVFC) and Chemgenex Pharma Ltd (Nasdaq:CXSP) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Gateway Financial Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:GBTS), TAT Technologies Ltd (Nasdaq:TATTF), Bancorp of New Jersey Inc (Nasdaq:BKJ), Accuride Corp (Nasdaq:ACW), MBT Financial Corp (Nasdaq:MBTF) and Palm Harbor Homes Inc (Nasdaq:PHHM).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Chemgenex Pharma Ltd (Nasdaq:CXSP), Digimarc Corp (Nasdaq:DMRC) and Pyramid Oil Co (Nasdaq:PDO) are among the new 52-week highs in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Westside Energy Corp (Nasdaq:WHT), Houston American Energy Corp (Nasdaq:HUSA), United States Lime & Minerals Inc (Nasdaq:USLM), Almost Family Inc (Nasdaq:AFAM), Stoneleigh Partners Acquisition Co (Nasdaq:SOC) and National Presto Industries Inc (Nasdaq:NPK).

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

After opening higher, small caps have been beaten down mid-session, as crude oil futures gushed higher and the troubled financial sector weighed on stocks. At 1:37 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 1.81, or 0.25%, at 723.92.

Crude oil prices were up to $137.76 a barrel in recent trading after reports surfaced that Israel executed a practice strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Additionally, revelations that Shell cannot meet its contractual obligations to export oil from Nigeria provided support for higher crude prices. One of Shell’s Nigerian oil fields was attacked by militants on Thursday.

In morning trading, crude was trading lower following a weekend pledge from Saudi Arabia to increase production. However, the announcement was widely expected and any bump from the announcement was already baked into crude futures. Some investors also saw the Saudi offer as fraudulent because it was so small.

Despite the rise in crude oil prices, the dollar is up against the yen and euro in Monday midday trading.

In large cap headlines, Bunge Ltd. (NYSE:BG), a giant fertilizer and oilseed processing company, announced plans to purchase Corn Products International (NYSE:CPO) in a deal worth $4.4 billion. Investors reacted negatively to the announcement, with BG shares down more than 11% in midday action. The stock is moving lower even though Bunge increased its earnings forecast. CPO has jumped some 17% on the news.

Financial stocks have been pummeled in recent weeks by investors amid ongoing worries about the credit crunch. Although some stocks in the financial zone might benefit from bargain hunters this week, there were additional analyst downgrades on banks and against home lenders overnight, which could keep that area on the defensive. Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) were off early today after Lehman Bros. analysts increased their loss forecast on the pair.

QCR Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:QCRH), Chemgenex Pharm Ltd (Nasdaq:CXSP) and Arabian American Development Co (Nasdaq:ARSD) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Johnson Outdoors Inc (Nasdaq:JOUT), Digimarc Corp (Nasdaq:DMRC), Fisher Communications Inc (Nasdaq:FSCI), Cantel Medical Corp (Nasdaq:CMN), Bridge Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:BDGE) and TOP Ships Inc (Nasdaq:TOPS).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Chemgenex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:CXSP), Security Bank Corp (Georgia) (Nasdaq:SBKC) and Bank of the Ozarks Inc (Nasdaq:OZRK) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:VNDA), Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:JAZZ), Bank of Commerce Holdings (California) (Nasdaq:BOCH), National Coal Corp (Nasdaq:NCOC), First California Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:FCAL) and Somanetics Corp (Nasdaq:SMTS).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Royale Energy Inc (Nasdaq:ROYL), Chemgenex Pharm (Nasdaq:CXSP) and National Coal Corp (Nasdaq:NCOC) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: IMAX CORPORATION (Nasdaq:IMAX), OMNI Energy Services Corp (Nasdaq:OMNI), USANA Health Sciences Inc (Nasdaq:USNA), UAL Corp (Nasdaq:UAUA), China Precision Steel Inc (Nasdaq:CPSL) and Crocs Inc (Nasdaq:CROX).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

After plunging out of the gate this morning on hawkish comments from the Fed, small-cap stocks remained flat, fluctuating shallowly in and out of the red as crude oil gave back ground mid-session.

At 1:45 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 1.03, or 0.14%, to 734.22, while the Dow gained 67.49, 0.55%, to 12,347.81.

After climbing sharply higher earlier in the session, crude oil gave back some ground after sources in the Saudi Oil Ministry told CNBC that Saudi Arabia's oil output increased by almost 500,000 barrels per day this quarter. A barrel of crude oil was off $1.51 to $132.74 midday.

However, as crude has remained at heightened levels, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, addressed the threat of inflation, stating that the risk of a substantial downturn in the economy has eased and that the torrid incline in oil prices “has added to the upside risks to inflation and inflation expectations.”

“The Fed's comments clearly are meant to address a shift in their focus that reflects the massive run-up in oil and food prices,” said Andy Busch, foreign exchange strategist for BMO Capital Markets.

Traders interpreted the Fed’s remarks to mean a possible increase in interest rates, boosting the dollar. The greenback jumped to a three-month high against the yen and gained against the euro to around $1.5457 midday.

“So far, the Fed looks like they have influenced U.S. short-term rate expectations the most and therefore have brought the U.S. dollar back,” Busch said. “[The] market expects the Fed to raise rates 125 basis points over two years versus 75 basis points for the ECB.”

Although the central bank’s focus has turned to resisting “an erosion of longer-term inflation expectations,” Doug Roberts, author of the book Follow the Fed to Investment Success and chief investment strategist for ChannelCapitalResearch.com, says he doesn’t think hawkish comments necessarily lead to hawkish . . .

HireRight Inc (Nasdaq:HIRE), Chemgenex Pharm Ltd (Nasdaq:CXSP) and Republic First Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:FRBK) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Kandi Technologies Corp (Nasdaq:KNDI), China Sky One Medical Inc (Nasdaq:CSY), Timberland Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:TSBK), Amtech Systems Inc (Nasdaq:ASYS), Dynacq Healthcare Inc (Nasdaq:DYII) and Pier 1 Imports Inc (Nasdaq:PIR).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Gentium SpA (Nasdaq:GENT), WGNB Corp (Nasdaq:WGNB) and GeoResources Inc (Nasdaq:GEOI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

HEICO Corp (Nasdaq:HEI), Chemgenex Pharm Ltd  (Nasdaq:CXSP) and Calamos Asset Management Inc (Nasdaq:CLMS) are also among the biggest percentage gainers.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks are up slightly in Friday afternoon action, after dipping in the morning and then treading higher in midday trading. At 1:42 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 0.71, or 0.1%, at 746.26.

The Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Survey came in at 49.1, which was above the forecast at 48.5. Although the reading was slightly above expectations, it had only a muted impact on stock prices as the number was still below 50 for the fourth consecutive month.

Also, the Michigan sentiment survey came in at 59.8, just slightly above the forecast of 59.5, but still at 28-year lows.

Market sectors showing strength include metal mining, coal energy, iron and steel, gold and silver, and oil and gas operations. Sectors attracting sellers include school services, forestry and wood products, computer accessories, non-cyclical crops and tobacco.

Individual small caps on the move include RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp. (Nasdaq:RXII), which is up some 18% despite no fresh news. ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq:CXSP) is similarly up 16%, also without any significant announcements. Sourcefire, Inc. (Nasdaq:FIRE) is getting a 15% boost after rejecting a buyout bid.

On the downside, Medical Action Industries (Nasdaq:MDCI) is diving 21% on earnings-related news. Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM) is tumbling about 18% after missing the sales forecast. WGNB Corp. (Nasdaq:WGNB) is falling 11% . . .

Here are the day’s biggest percentage gainers and losers, along with top volume leaders, among companies with a market cap between $100 million and $750 million:

Biggest percentage gainers:

• Chemgenex Pharm Ltd. (Nasdaq:CXSP), up 30% to $13.95.
• DDI Corp. (Nasdaq:DDIC), up 13% to $5.20
• VanceInfo Technologies Inc. (NYSE:VIT), up 14% to $8.11.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Cheniere Energy Inc. (AMEX:LNG), down 36% to $7.11 on news it reduced its earnings and sales outlook for the full year.
• Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:ALDN) down 27% to $15.80 on news that it reported first-quarter earnings that missed analysts’ estimates by a penny and news that it lowered its fiscal 2008 earnings estimate.
• Silver State Bancorp (Nasdaq:SSBX), down 17% to $5.56.

Volume leaders:

• Packeteer Inc. (Nasdaq:PKTR), 14,591,639 million shares traded versus the average of 356,670 shares.
• Cheniere Energy Inc. (AMEX:LNG) 6,655,424 shares traded versus the average of 984,475 shares.
• SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIRF) 3,004,253 shares traded versus the average of 4,810,510 shares.

The day saw 28 small-cap stocks set 52-week lows, while 16 small caps established a 52-week high.

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

Small-cap stocks are ready to begin trading on a bullish note for the second consecutive session, while investors await data on pending November U.S. home sales. The numbers will be released shortly after the opening.

If KB Home is any indication, the U.S. housing market continues to agonize. The Los Angeles, Calif.-based builder of single-family homes reported this morning that its fiscal fourth-quarter loss was $772.7 million, or $9.99 per share, compared with a loss of $49.6 million, or $0.64 per share, a year ago.

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:

• Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SIRT), up 14% on news of positive results from a clinical study of a diabetes drug.
• Newport Corp. (NEWP), up 7% on news that it expects fourth-quarter earnings above its previous forecast.
• Websense Inc. (WBSN), up 6% to on news it expects to beat its previously released fourth-quarter revenue projections.

Biggest percentage losers:

• ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (CXSP), down 11%.
• Hill International, Inc. (HINT), down 4% on news of a joint venture with an investment management firm.
• The Dress Barn, Inc. (DBRN), down 3%.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are falling despite initial speculation of an interest rate cut.
 
At 10:53 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was down 3.06 points, or 0.42%, to 718.54. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had lost 24.31 points, or 0.19%, to 12,775.87.

Stocks began the day on a bullish note as investors speculated that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates to prevent the economy from slipping into recession. The Fed is scheduled to kick-off a two-day meeting on Jan. 29. At its previous meeting on Dec. 11, it lowered the federal funds rate to 4.25% from 4.50%.

The federal funds rate is the rate at which commercial banks make overnight loans to each other.

But the sentiment did not last long, and shortly after 10 a.m. ET, equities were in negative territory.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) rebounded after three consecutive losses as investors cheered upbeat earnings news from Goldman Sachs. The small-cap index advanced 15.00 points, or 2.03%, to 754.06. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) rose 65.27 points, or 0.50%, to 13,232.47.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 is down 4.24%, while the Dow is up 6.08% and the S&P 500 has added 2.71%.

Small-cap stocks began and ended the session on a bullish note following news that investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit and beat Wall Street’s expectations.

Unlike many of its rivals, Goldman Sachs has not been seriously affected by the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector. However, the New York-based company cautioned that some of the world’s capital markets will remain in turmoil in the near future.

Investors apparently disregarded the warning, just like they did news that U.S. housing starts in November declined 3.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.187 million, according to the Census Bureau.

That’s the slowest pace in 16 years but a whisker above the annual rate forecasted by economists. November housing starts are 24.2% below the revised annual rate of 1.565 million units in November 2006.

The same report also showed that building permits, a sign of future construction, fell 1.5% to an annual rate of 1.152 million. That decline is in line with economists’ projections.

Separately, the International Council of Shopping Centers announced that U.S. retailers saw chain store sales grow 1.4% for the week ending Dec. 15.

“Unfortunately, retailers were battered by several forces this past week, including storms and a procrastinating consumer,” said Michael Niemira, the trade association’s chief economist, in a statement. “According to an ICSC-UBS household holiday-tracking survey, consumers are completing their holiday shopping slower than they have in the last four years since these surveys have been taken.”

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is posting strong gains this afternoon. At 2:23 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had climbed 11.00 points, or 1.49%, to 750.06. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 72.91 points, or 0.55%, to 13,240.11.

Small-cap stocks are comfortably above the flat line despite news of generally unimpressive economic reports.

The International Council of Shopping Centers announced before the start of trading that U.S. retailers saw chain store sales grow 1.4% for the week ending Dec. 15.

“Holiday shopping continues at a moderate pace with some consumers making fewer store visits due to gasoline prices and others just plain procrastinating on completing their shopping lists,” the global trade association said in a statement.

Sales have added 2.1% from the same week in 2006.

A slowdown in consumer spending, which is about 70% of gross domestic product, is one reason why many economists expect that U.S. economic growth will be low in the final quarter of 2007 and into 2008. Pessimists are even forecasting a recession.

The stagnating U.S. housing sector is another factor weighing on the economy.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported before the opening that housing starts in November declined 3.7%, while building permits, a sign of future construction, fell 1.5%.

Privately-owned housing completions in November fell 4.1% to an annual rate of 1,344,000, from a revised October estimate of 1,402,000.

So why are investors bullish?

Probably because Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit. The New York-based investment bank, the largest in the world, had a quarterly net income of $3.17 billion, or $7.01 per share, well above analysts’ projected earnings of $6.61 per share.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are lower and the small-cap index will probably open with a fall as investors worry about the U.S. economy.

The mood on Wall Street is bearish as investors weighed news of rising oil prices and the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered its growth outlook for the U.S. economy. On Tuesday the Fed forecasted that growth will slow in 2008 and unemployment will creep up slightly.

In other economic news, the Labor Department reported that jobless claims for the week ended Nov. 17 decreased 11,000 to 330,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised level of 341,000.

The four-week moving average, considered a more stable measure, fell 750 to 329,750 from 330,500 a week earlier.

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:

• NGAS Resources Inc. (NGAS), up 11% on news it has priced an offering of 4.2 million shares of its common stock at $6 per share.
• ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (CXSP), up 8%.
• Cerus Corp. (CERS), up 5% on news it has spun off assets of its immunotherapy business to an independent company.

Biggest percentage losers:

• China Finance Online Co. Ltd. (JRJC), down 23% despite news of a rise in quarterly profit.
• LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS) down 9%.
• Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (SOLF) down 7%.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) posted solid gains as a rollercoaster day of trading ended with a sudden late rally. The small-cap index added 4.94 points, or 0.64%, to 780.90. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) lost 33.73 points, or 0.25%, to 13,266.29.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has lost 0.83%, while the Dow has advanced 6.35% and the S&P 500 has added 4.11%.

Futures were pointing up and stocks opened in positive territory following news that automaker Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) expects to break even in 2007 following a narrower third-quarter loss. The company beat Wall Street’s expectations by posting a loss of $380 million, compared with a loss of $5.2 billion a year earlier.

Helping the bulls in the early minutes of trading was news that British mining company Rio Tinto turned down a buyout offer from Australia’s BHP Billiton Ltd. The rejection led to speculation of more possible mergers and acquisition activity.

There was negative news as well, coming in the form of a second consecutive month of weak sales by U.S. retailers. Many retailers blamed their lackluster performance in October on warm weather, which is hurting sales of cold-weather items, and the higher price of gasoline, which is taking money out of consumers’ wallets.
Stocks bounced around in the morning, with the Russell 2000 generally staying in the green while the Dow was mostly in the red.

But the bears took over after 11 a.m. ET, when U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicted that U.S. economic growth will slow in the fourth quarter.

Hardinge Inc. (Nasdaq: HDNG), Kenexa Corp. (Nasdaq: KNXA) and National Atlantic Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq: NAHC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) are continuing their descent with two hours left in the session. At 2:26 p.m. ET, the small-cap index was down 14.43 points, or 1.72%, to 826.74. The Dow had retreated 155.83 points, or 1.11%, to 13,937.25.

The bears are on the prowl this afternoon, as credit concerns resurface following news of a steep decline in Citigroup Inc.’s (NYSE: C) third-quarter profit.

Citigroup, the largest U.S. bank, reported a 57% drop in its third-quarter profit. Net income at the New York-based financial services giant was $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.

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

Also dragging the financial sector down is news that Citigroup and other leading banks will be pooling money to prevent investment funds from having to dump assets into the market.

The pool, which will also receive contributions from Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), will try to prop up structured investment vehicles, which have had trouble refinancing their debt and may even have to sell off assets to pay back investors. Together, these vehicles owned some $400 billion of assets as of August.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are sliding into negative territory on news of a decline in Citigroup’s earnings.

At 10:13 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had lost 5.20 points, or 0.62%, to 835.97. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had shed 47.48 points, or 0.34%, to 14,045.60.

With no major economic news coming out today, investors are focusing on mergers, acquisitions and corporate earnings. Stocks began the day in the green but quickly surrendered those gains.

Dominating the headlines is news that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) suffered a 57% drop in its third-quarter profit. The largest U.S. bank reported before that opening that its net income was $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. However, the quarterly results were above analysts’ forecast of earnings of $0.44 per share, according to a poll by Thomson Financial.

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

In other business news, 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.

Boulder Growth & Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: BIF), Alesco Financial Inc. (NYSE: AFN) and ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Limited (Nasdaq: CXSP) are the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

Gigabeam Corp. (Nasdaq: GGBM), Cumulus Media Inc. (Nasdaq: CMLS) and China Shenghuo Pharmaceutical Hldg, Inc. (AMEX: KUN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

U.S. ended the week with large gains following news that core consumer inflation in May came in below expectations. The Russell 2000 moved up 11.07 points, or 1.32%, to finish at 848.19. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 85.76 points, or 0.63%, to 13,639.48.

For this week, the Russell 2000 has gained 12.88 points, or 1.54%, while the Dow has added 215.09 points, or 1.73%.

Rodman & Renshaw maintained its "market perform" rating on biopharmaceutical company Medivation, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDVN).

Cyberonics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYBX) reported a wider quarterly loss and revenue that didn’t meet analysts’ expectations.

Three patients in Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDIX) hepatitis C study had to discontinue due to what Idenix described as "adverse events," related to problems with toxicity.

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