Tag - Dtg

IEC Electronics Corp. (Nasdaq:IEC), SmartHeat Inc. (Nasdaq:HEAT) and Hi Shear Technology Corp. (Nasdaq:HSR) are among the new 52-week highs in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DTG), China Fire & Security Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CFSG), Clearwater Paper Corp. (Nasdaq:CLW), Targacept Inc. (Nasdaq:TRGT), LodgeNet Interactive Corp. (Nasdaq:LNET) and Century BanCorp Inc. (Nasdaq:CNBKA).

Dorman Products Inc. (Nasdaq:DORM), Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DTG) and Virtusa Corp. (Nasdaq:VRTU) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Mercury Computer Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:MRCY), Walter Investment Management Corp. (Nasdaq:WAC), Books-A-Million Inc.(Nasdaq:BAMM), Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc. (Nasdaq:PPD), United States Lime & Minerals Inc. (Nasdaq:USLM) and Clearwater Paper Corp. (Nasdaq:CLW).

Isramco Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRL), Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DTG) and Rentrak Corp. (Nasdaq:RENT) are among the new 52-week highs in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Anaren Inc. (Nasdaq:ANEN), BioScrip Inc. (Nasdaq:BIOS), American Capital Agency Corp. (Nasdaq:AGNC), Spectrum Control Inc. (Nasdaq:SPEC), ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CKSW) and Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:NOVN).

Tween Brands Inc. (Nasdaq:TWB), Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DTG) and Isramco Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRL) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Syms Corp. (Nasdaq:SYMS), Elizabeth Arden Inc. (Nasdaq:RDEN), CPI International Inc. (Nasdaq:CPII), Herman Miller Inc. (Nasdaq:MLHR), Ener1 Inc. (Nasdaq:HEV) and Christopher & Banks Corp. (Nasdaq:CBK).

Small-cap stocks pushed lower on the open as sloppy profit numbers and weak economic data returned to center stage now that the U.S. presidential election has been decided following last night’s historic runaway victory by Barack Obama. Today's small-cap gainers were EnerNOC Inc. (Nasdaq:ENOC), Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW) and Dollar Thrifty Auto (NYSE:DTG).

Other Market Watch highlights included:

• Crude oil prices pushed lower into the stock market open, staging a moderate pullback after Tuesday’s big rally and before inventory data comes out later this morning.  
• BMO's Andrew Busch: A stimulus package of $150B will likely be enacted, with checks mailed out by March.  
• From a strict company perspective, there is a broad sense that an Obama presidency would be positive for solar and wind companies.  
• Today Treasury said it will resurrect 3-year note, do more auctions of 10-year notes & 30-year bonds to fund the gvnt.’s borrowing needs.  
• There was another big pullback in Libor rates overnight, which should help encourage inter-bank lending and help thaw out the credit market freeze. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• EnerNOC Inc. rallied 25% today, riding a boost in the energy sector. See (Nasdaq:ENOC).  
• Silver Wheaton up 18% after it prioritizes debt reduction, remains bullish on silver. See (NYSE:SLW).
• Dollar Thrifty Auto jumping 18% in pre-market on better-than-expected earnings. See (NYSE:DTG).  
• Clinical research organization Kendle International reports record Q3 08 net income; shares up 12.46% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:KNDL).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Clean Energy Fuels Corp. gapped lower and was down 17%, giving back most of the sizable previous three-day rally. See (Nasdaq:CLNE).  
• Stone Energy Corp. tumbled 20% tied to earnings news. See (NYSE:SGY).  
• i2 Technologies down 27% after JDA Software Group requested an adjournment of ITWO’s shareholder meeting to negotiate a reduced purchase price for the firm. See (Nasdaq:ITWO).  
• Ambac Financial Group Inc. is tumbling 26% as quarterly losses were much bigger than expected. See (NYSE:ABK).  

Small-cap stocks staged a dramatic opening slide, as the market nervously tried to price in news this weekend that Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LEH) filed for bankruptcy. At 10:04 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 14.57, or 2.02%, at 705.69.

The entire financial system was seemingly under fire as the LEH news became the latest casualty of the ongoing credit crunch. What made this go-around different than previous debacles at Bear Stearns and Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) is that the government was unwilling to once again bail out the firm in question, which forced LEH to announce the bankruptcy filing this weekend.

Despite these new storm clouds on the financial horizon, there was still some talk about the market making a “capitulation” low today. Some traders also noted that while a LEH bankruptcy might have been a worst-case scenario, it certainly isn’t that much of a shock given what took place at the firm last week. Also, news that Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) was buying Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MER) didn’t seem like bearish news (although the initial reaction from BAC shareholders wasn’t exactly a warm embrace as the stock tumbled 16% shortly after the open).

Another firm that was in the crosshairs of bears last week and remained on the hotseat this morning is American International Group Inc. (NYSE:AIG), as stock in the world’s largest insurer tumbled some 40% early today, after hitting the skids last week as well.

Even though the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve decided not to earmark taxpayer funds to bail out Lehman, central banks around the world were adding liquidity into the system to help the markets ride out this morning’s selling storm. This latest calamity adds even more zest to the FOMC policy meeting Tuesday afternoon — with some market watchers now wondering if a rate cut has gone . . .

Small-cap stocks remained higher into mid-session activity Wednesday, buoyed by a firm tone in technology and commodity stocks that helped counter continuing softness in the financial arena. At 12:50 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 7.97, or 1.13%, at 715.27.

Tech stocks gathered upside momentum following upbeat earnings results from Texas Instruments Inc. (NYSE:TXN), which spilled over in the chip arena, with QUALCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq:QCOM), rising 3.6% today. Also, Research in Motion Ltd. (Nasdaq:RIMM) rallied 4.3% as the maker of the Blackberry announced a new flip phone. In recent days, there have been concerns voiced that customers are less willing to spend for new technology and the latest high-end tech gadgets, so the improved tone today was a welcome relief — especially after Tuesday’s big stock market rout.

Commodity stocks continue to provide bullish momentum for small-caps today, even though crude oil prices reversed course and headed lower, slipping to fresh five-month lows. Even with crude oil back on the retreat, coal, steel, metals, gas utilities and oil exploration shares were among the best performing sectors on the market so far today. Even with commodities reflecting a better tone today, the U.S. dollar remained on a roll, charging to fresh 11-month highs against the euro, rising about 0.6% in the process. The greenback was also up nearly 1% versus the yen, . . .

IntriCon Corp. (Nasdaq:IIN), Nexxus Lighting Inc. (Nasdaq:NEXS) and Elmira Savings Bank (Nasdaq:ESBK) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: B&H Ocean Carriers Ltd. (Nasdaq:BHO), Park Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:PFED), Crescent Banking Co. (Nasdaq:CSNT), Northeast Bancorp (Nasdaq:NBN), Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DTG) and Rio Vista Energy Partners LP. (Nasdaq:RVEP).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks collapsed again Wednesday, unable to escape the glare of soaring energy prices that crimp consumer spending, raise business input costs and slice away corporate margins. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) shed 19.25, or 2.78%, to 672.34. This marked the fourth largest one-day decline of the year and the 15th decline in 2008 of 2% or more. In the end, small caps posted the lowest daily close since March 19.

Crude oil prices shot to new record highs after the weekly inventory report showed that crude stocks slipped below 300 million barrels for the first time since January. The prospect of tight stocks into a holiday weekend amid saber rattling between Israel and Iran ensured that a risk premium be priced into energy markets. In addition, spot gas prices jumped to a 30-month high, and it appears no commodity market will go without its turn in the sun. The Commodity Research Bureau Index of 19 commodity markets shot to yet another record high and is up 29% in 2008. In addition, new all-time highs were set in the small-cap commodity fund iPath GSCI Total Return Index, which is heavily weighted toward energy.

The dreary close in small caps was a far cry from this morning’s opening when rising European bank shares and talk that the capital-raising crisis had peaked fueled an opening bounce in stocks. That opening rise looked like a nice carryover sign of power in the shadow of Tuesday’s big recovery rally, but the resumption of selling fury today effectively clipped short any bottoming signs that may have been building off the bounce.

While soaring energy prices rightly gathered the lion’s share of attention during today’s collapse, bullish investors may have been scared into the cellar by this morning’s ADP National Employment Report, which showed a decline in payrolls of 79,000, the largest figure since November 2002. Although the correlation between ADP and the official Labor Department report has been unraveling of late, it’s still a scary figure . . .

Small-cap stocks briefly opened higher after the opening, but have steadily slumped in midday and afternoon trading. Bearish sentiments were fueled by the Commerce Department’s report that factory orders showed the weakest performance in three months during May and the continuing ascent of crude oil prices. The National Employment report also added to gloomy news, with payrolls down by 79,000. At 2:27 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 12.55, or 1.81%, to 679.04.

During May, factory orders rose by 0.6%, which met Wall Street’s expectation but gave nervous investors no reasons to buy. The Commerce Department’s report showed waning demand for steel, heavy machinery and autos. Soaring fuel prices, weak economic growth and the credit crisis continue to keep investors jittery as long-term prospects remain uncertain.

Crude oil prices gushed higher in afternoon trading to $142.64 a barrel in recent trading. The U.S. dollar is down against the euro and flat against the yen.

The ADP National Employment Report showed a decline of 79,000 in payrolls, which marked the largest decline since November 2002. In addition, ADP revised last month’s gain downward to 25,000 from 40,000. When the ADP report was released about 8:15 a.m. ET, the news sparked a bounce in Treasury futures, trimmed overnight gains in the dollar against the yen and sparked a pullback in overnight gains in stock index futures. The weak ADP figures were troubling ahead of the big monthly employment report slated for Thursday morning.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs cautioned that the correlation between the ADP report and the actual Labor Department monthly employment release has not been that reliable of late. Goldman said that from January 2000 through October 2007, the ADP served up a much tighter projection of the jobs report, but since then the standard . . .

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc (Nasdaq:DTG), Avis Budget Group (Nasdaq:CAR) and Famous Daves of America Inc (Nasdaq:DAVE) are among the new 52-week lows in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: First M&F Corp (Nasdaq:FMFC), First Citizens Bancorp Cleveland (Nasdaq:FCZA), Integra Bank Corp (Nasdaq:IBNK), Bridge Capital Holdings (Nasdaq:BBNK), MTS Medication Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:MPP) and Mercantile Bank Corp (Nasdaq:MBWM).

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

Small-cap stocks staged an impressive recovery rally Tuesday afternoon, bouncing back from three-month lows and reversing a 15-handle collapse as vehicle sales came in better than feared, and crude oil prices slipped back off the intraday highs. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 1.93, or 0.28%, at 691.59.

Finding a silver lining in car sales from domestic icons General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) and Ford (NYSE:F) seems like a stretch when one considers GM sales were off 18.5% and Ford’s sales collapsed 28%, but GM did manage to retain its title as the car sales king when many were predicting that Toyota would steal the crown away for the first time in history. GM shares stormed back 10% at one point today before retreating in the final minutes of trading. GM stock has been falling off a cliff of late, reaching 54-year lows Monday. Even Ford managed to climb back briefly into the green before settling down after plunging to 17-year lows in the morning.

It’s worth noting that volume today was brisk in cash and derivatives markets, even though this was expected to be a slow march toward a holiday-shortened week. Apparently the dramatic slide into bear market territory for small caps brought some of the bulls out of slumber and clearly attracted some bears who either couldn’t hang on to losing trades anymore, or who couldn’t resist riding the wave lower.

Despite the impressive recovery bounce off the lows, some market watchers remain unconvinced that a major low is at hand. “I think the market is far, far away from the bottom still. We haven’t felt enough pain yet, inflation is understated and we could see the Russell slide another 20% over the next 18 months if we don’t get a turnaround in this economic news and on the inflation front,” Dominic . . .

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc (Nasdaq:DTG), EMCORE Corp (Nasdaq:EMKR) and MTS Medication Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:MPP) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Titan Machinery Inc (Nasdaq:TITN), Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp (Nasdaq:VBFC), Avis Budget Group (Nasdaq:CAR), PAB Bankshares Inc (Nasdaq:PABK), Tri-Valley Corp (Nasdaq:TIV) and First Business Financial Services Inc (Nasdaq:FBIZ).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

After breaching bear market territory to start the second half of 2008, small caps recovered ground 30 minutes into the session on rosier-than-expected manufacturing data, but took a sharp turn down midday remaining entrenched in the red on inflation fears.

At 12:53 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 skidded 11.13, or 1.61%, to 678.53, while the Dow slumped 139.63, or 1.23% to 11,210.38.

Riding in as the market’s knight in shining armor for the morning, the ISM Manufacturing Survey released at 10:00 a.m. clocked in at 50.2. The figure was above the forecasted 48.6, causing the market to pull back from sharper lows of the day. A read above 50 signifies economic expansion, while anything below represents economic contraction. The upside surprise on the ISM data sparked a sizable recovery bounce in equities, with the Russell 2000 shooting some eight handles off the morning lows.

But the better-than-expected catalyst couldn’t keep the bears from scouring the Street. The uptick in manufacturing activity was welcome news for Wall Street, but investors soon focused on the index of prices paid, which climbed to 91.5, marking the highest reading since 1979. That spike in prices coupled with continued lofty crude oil prices seen all session sparked inflation fears. 

Although it’s a new quarter today, the economic picture that has clouded small-cap equities’ performance year-to-date continues to loom. Climbing crude oil prices coupled with slumping financial stocks caused investors to pass up stocks for bonds this morning.

Just ahead of the opening, crude oil prices climbed back above $143 dollars a barrel, jumping some $3 dollars from Monday’s U.S. close. Oil spiked on heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, as rumors of a potential attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities by Israel remain on the front burner. Iran has threatened to take action on shipping through the Straight of Hormuz if attacked, and approximately 40% of the world’s fuel supply moves through that waterway. In addition, the International Energy Agency projected this morning that although demand for energy products would soften from the higher prices, the supply side would remain tight.

Avis Budget Group Inc. (NYSE:CAR) sank to a year low on Tuesday as U.S. automakers were expected to report weak auto sales for June. The car rental company fell to $7.38, down more than 10%, a low for the year, as it felt the squeeze of high gas prices combined with a sluggish economy. Other car rental companies experienced a similar drop Tuesday; Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE:DTG) plummeted more than 26% to a 52-week low.

Avis Budget Group’s shares have lost more than 73% during the past 52 weeks.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE:DTG) said Tuesday it will not meet its previous full-year earnings estimates, news that pushed shares down 20%. The car rental company said its 2008 revenue will be down because of difficult operating trends, which have led to lower daily revenues and vehicle depreciation costs. Lower-than-expected earnings for the second quarter are also contributing to this year’s outlook. Dollar Thrifty’s full-year earnings per share will not meet the previous estimate of $1.00 to $1.50, the company said. The Tulsa, Okla.-based company will report second-quarter earnings on Aug. 5.

On Tuesday, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group's shares were at $7.45, down $2 from Monday’s close. The company’s stock has lost 68.9% since January of this year.

Vestin Realty Mortgage II Inc (Nasdaq:VRTB), First South Bancorp Inc (Washington NC) (Nasdaq:FSBK) and Gateway Financial Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:GBTS) are among the new 52-week lows in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Capital Trust Inc (Nasdaq:CT), NASB Financial Inc (Nasdaq:NASB), Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc (Nasdaq:DTG), Firstbank Corp (Alma, Michigan) (Nasdaq:FBMI), Blue Phoenix Solutions (Nasdaq:BPHX) and BMP Sunstone Corp (Nasdaq:BJGP).

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

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is down on news that some small banks could go bankrupt. At 2:04 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had declined 10.23 points, or 1.43%, to 706.21. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was off 124.80 points, or 0.98%, to 12,569.48.

Small regional banks that have invested in real estate could fail, according to U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke. The comments were made in front of the Senate Banking Committee and helped stocks extend their losses.

Larger banks are in better shape and should not have serious problems, the Fed chief explained. Bernanke also said that he does not think the United States will experience “stagflation,” a period of inflation combined with slow or no economic growth.

The Dow and the Russell 2000 have been in the red since the start of trading. Among the small-cap losers is footwear maker Rocky Brands Inc. (Nasdaq: RCKY).

The Nelsonville, Ohio-based company reported after the close on Wednesday that its fourth-quarter net loss widened to $23.6 million, or $4.31 per share, compared with a net loss of $0.08 million or $0.01 per share a year earlier.

“Revenues came in below our expectations, which we attribute to low demand for the company’s outdoor and western footwear products,” wrote David Meyer, an analyst with investment bank Brean Murray & Co., in a research note released today. “While the firm’s business continues to struggle a bit, we are maintaining our ‘hold’ rating due to the cheap valuation.”

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


• China Precision Steel, Inc. (CPSL), up 28%.
• China Natural Resources Inc. (CHNR), up 19%
• The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX), up 20% on news that the maker of railroad freight car equipment might merge with American Railcar Industries Inc. (ARII).


• Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (DTG), down 36% on news of a lowered 2007 earnings guidance.
• Coldwater Creek Inc. (CWTR), down 17% on news of an analyst downgrade.
• BankUnited Financial Corp. (BKUNA), down 18%.

Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. Inc. (Nasdaq: NSTK), MasTec, Inc. (NYSE: MTZ) and Industrial Services of America, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDSA) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers: