Tag - Epic

The small cap Russell raced higher last month to end what was the best first quarter in years. During that time several stocks have hit 52-week highs particularly over the past few weeks.

Small caps pushed higher gain today and here are the top three small cap stocks that benefitted from the rise.

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI), BTU International Inc. (Nasdaq:BTUI) and Washington Banking Co. (Nasdaq:WBCO) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Georgia Gulf Corp. (Nasdaq:GGC), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), A M Castle & Co. (Nasdaq:CAS), Timberland Co. (Nasdaq:TBL), Spartan Stores Inc. (Nasdaq:SPTN) and Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC).

Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq:TKTM), Mentor Graphics Corp. (Nasdaq:MENT) and DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS) are among the new 52-week lows in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE), Crosstex Energy LP (Nasdaq:XTEX), Crosstex Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:XTXI), Graham Corp. (Nasdaq:GHM), Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC) and Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:PKOH).

UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: American Superconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:AMSC), Willis Lease Finance Corp. (Nasdaq:WLFC), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF), Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC), Bank of the Ozarks Inc. (Nasdaq:OZRK) and Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Small-cap stocks pushed higher early Friday, underpinned by positive surprises on economic data this morning, and by a pullback in crude oil prices. At 10:03 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 10.16, or 1.45%, at 712.55.

The Michigan sentiment survey extended this morning’s upside data surprise trend, beating the median forecast handily at 61.2 versus the projection of 56.4. Still, the number is low historically. Equities did produce a decent bounce when the sentiment figures came out just before 10:00 a.m. ET.

New home sales also topped the forecast, coming out at a pace of 530,000 annual units, compared with an expectation for 500,000. In addition, the May figure was revised upward, which kept the “feel good” data surprise intact heading into the rest of the trading session.

Ahead of the open, the June durable goods report came in well above expectations, with the headline figure up 0.8%, compared with the forecast for a dip of 0.3%. Although durables was a nice upside surprise for equities, the data is a little dated and durable seldom has a staying influence on stocks.

Crude oil futures pulled back shortly after the stock market open, which provided some mild support to equities. Crude oil dipped back below $124 dollars a barrel, which was down more than $2 from pre-opening levels. Despite the decline in crude prices, the U.S. dollar was still down slightly against the euro until the Michigan figure and new home sales data topped the forecast.

Broad market sectors on the rise this morning included airlines, home furnishings, coal, communications equipment, diversified REITS and housewares. Meanwhile, thrifts and mortgage finance firms were taking a hit. Other sectors on the decline included construction materials, apparel, diverse financial services, investment banks . . .

Crocs Inc (Nasdaq:CROX), UAL Corp (Nasdaq:UAUA) and Affymetrix Inc (Nasdaq:AFFX) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Canadian Solar Inc (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Netlogic Microsystems Inc (Nasdaq:NETL), Epicor Software Corp (Nasdaq:EPIC), Vasco Data Security International Inc (Nasdaq:VDSI), Ultratech Inc (Nasdaq:UTEK) and Morgans Hotel Group Co (Nasdaq:MHGC).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

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:


• Fuqi International, Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), up 19% to $7.25 on news of an improved first-quarter and full-year 2008 guidance.
• Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASPM), up 19% to $6.52 on news it expects second-quarter earnings above Wall Street’s projections.
• Metalico Inc. (AMEX:MEA), up 18% to $14.15.


• AMCORE Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMFI), down 30% to $13.71 on news of a first-quarter loss.
• Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC), down 27% to $7.85 on news it projects first-quarter earnings below analysts’ consensus.
• Alto Palermo S.A. (Nasdaq:APSA), down 15% to $14.25.

Small-cap stocks opened lower and traded in a fairly narrow range during the rest of today’s session, trimming losses off the lows, but never catching up with a tame rise in the Dow and S&P 500. In the end, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) tumbled 5.39, or 0.76%, to 708.00, but an inside session dip for the small-cap index in the shadow of Wednesday’s big rise wasn’t all that unsettling.

However, if it all feels like a familiar refrain, you’re right. The Russell 2000 has now had five 3% one-day gains so far this year, and has now closed lower four times and was flat in the other instance. In essence, the market has been unable to sustain momentum off big rally days as investors are unwilling to take a stand that the worst is over for stocks. When the stock market starts to fly, investors are more willing to buy into strength and fund managers will scramble to catch up with the market. For now, the inability to sustain rallies suggests that the market is still burdened by caution. In the long haul, creating a “wall of worry” isn’t necessarily a bad thing when stocks are trying a build a foundation low, but it can create volatility, uncertainty and rollercoaster-price moves along the way.

Economic news today was less embraced by investors than what we saw during Wednesday’s big upside push. The most dynamic report came from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve, as their survey on manufacturing activity in the area came in down 24.9%, well below the market forecast which was in the minus 15 to . . .

Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC), Amcore Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMFI) and Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (AMEX:CQP) were among the new 52-week lows established during Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations or values under $750 million.

Briggs & Stratton Corp. (NYSE:BGG), Citizens First Corp. (Nasdaq:CZFC) and Mac-Gray Corp. (NYSE:TUC) were also among the 52-week small-cap lows.

Here are today's 52-week small-cap lows:

Amcore Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMFI), Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC) and Alto Palermo S.A. (Nasdaq:APSA) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (AMEX:CQP), SureWest Communications (Nasdaq:SURW) and Carolina Trust Bank (Nasdaq:CART) are also among the top small-cap percentage losers.

Here are Thursday's biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Shares of Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC) have dropped more than 20% on news before the start of trading that the provider of supply chain management and customer relationship management solutions expects first-quarter earnings below the consensus on Wall Street.

The Irvine, Calif.-based company projects that net income for the three months ended March 31 will be between $0.06 per share and $0.07 per share, while eight analysts polled by Thomson Financial were calling for $0.17 per share. Epicor Software blamed lower than expected consulting revenue for the shortfall.

Profit for the entire 2008 year is projected between $0.92 per share and $0.96 per share, while analysts were calling for $1.03 per share.

At 10:48 a.m. ET, the stock had declined $2.73, or 25%, to $8.06.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) stumbled on the opening, unable to extend the big rally from Wednesday’s action. At 10:05 a.m. ET, the Russell was down 7.60, or 1.06%, at 705.79 as a profit-taking mentality from those who caught the rise Wednesday dominated early action.

As the market progresses today, it will be important for the Russell to find support above the old swingline at 700. If the selling pressure begins to intensify, 695 is the next support zone to watch. Any move back into the green would be an important show of resilience as the market has been unable to sustain upside momentum after 3% rally days so far this year.

The market remained under pressure after the Philly Fed survey, which came out at 10:00 a.m. ET, was down 24.9%, quite a bit worse than the market forecast of a 15% loss. The sobering Philly Fed numbers overshadowed the Leading Indicators report, which rose 0.1%, in line with expectations.

Ahead of this morning’s opening, the Weekly Claims report was relatively close to the forecast, and quickly fell off traders’ radar screens, especially ahead of the Philly Fed and Leading Indicator reports.

With crude oil tipping the scales at fresh record highs this morning near $115 dollars a barrel and gasoline pump prices climbing before we’ve even reached . . .

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


• AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVAN), up 32% on news it has licensed one of its vaccines to Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE).
• Fuqi International, Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), up 20%.
• Avocent Corp. (Nasdaq:AVCT), up 16%


• Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC), down 14% on news it has lowered its full-year earnings and revenue outlook.
• ViroPharma Inc. (Nasdaq:VPHM), down 6% on news it has stopped developing a hepatitis C drug.
• AMCORE Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMFI), down 5% on news of a first-quarter loss.

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

Today will be a quiet day, with little news on the economic or corporate front. The Mortgage Bankers Association will reveal numbers on mortgage application volume for the week ended Jan. 4, but that measure typically gets little reaction from investors.

Overseas, the United Kingdom’s FTSE 100 index fell 1.4%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 0.5%.

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:

• Epicor Software Corp. (EPIC), up 15% on news it forecast fourth-quarter revenue above expectations.
• Triad Guaranty Inc. (TGIC), up 12%.
• Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (ISLE), up 12%.

Biggest percentage losers:

• InfoSpace, Inc. (INSP), down 49%.
• Premier Exhibitions, Inc. (PRXI), down 31%.
• Spectrum Control, Inc. (SPEC), down 15% on news that fourth-quarter earnings were below analysts’ expectations.