Tag - Fuqi

Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI), Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Exide Technologies (Nasdaq:XIDE) and Energy Conversion Devices Inc (Nasdaq:ENER) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

 

Also included among the results: China Agritech Inc (Nasdaq:CACG), Virntex Holding Corp (Nasdaq:VHC), Chordiant Software Inc (Nasdaq:CHRD), Medivation Inc (Nasdaq:MDVN) and First Industrial Realty Trust (Nasdaq:FR).

Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ENER), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), Crocs Inc. (Nasdaq:CROX) and DrdGold ADR (Nasdaq:DROOY).

InterDigital Inc. (Nasdaq:IDCC), Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX) and Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ENER), Kirklands Inc. (Nasdaq:KIRK), Crocs Inc. (Nasdaq:CROX) and ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:ACAD).

SXC Health Solutions Corp. (Nasdaq:SXCI), Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (Nasdaq:HMIN) and Silicom Ltd. (Nasdaq:SILC) are among the new 52-week highs in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI), US Auto Parts Network Inc. (Nasdaq:PRTS), IncrediMail Ltd. (Nasdaq:MAIL), Evercore Partners Inc. (Nasdaq:EVR), Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. (Nasdaq:CHIC) and SPSS Inc. (Nasdaq:SPSS).

Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN), Oncothyreon Inc. (Nasdaq:ONTY) and Electro-Optical Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:MELA) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SVNT), Wright Medical Group Inc. (Nasdaq:WMGI), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Carrols Restaurant Group. (Nasdaq:TAST).

Stocks finished lower today with the Dow ending seven straight trading sessions closing up. The Dow closed down 35 points to 8,881 while the Nasdaq was up 10 point to close at 1,926 and the S&P 500 edged lower by half a point to close at 954.

The Russell 2000 was up just over 3 points to close at 529.

Leading small-cap price gainers include Media General (NYSE:MEG) up 84% on news that its Q2 EPS was $0.90 versus an EPS loss of $25.12 last year. Much of the firm's gains were attributed to cost cutting measures and selling off a Panama City, Florida television station WMBB and Alexandria, Louisiana television station KALB. Both stations were purchased by Hoak Media.

Other small-cap gainers for today include Somaxon Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:SOMX) up 31%; Dynavax Technologies (Nasdaq:DVAX) up 24%; and Reddy Ice Holdings (NYSE:FRZ) up 22%.

Small-cap decliners include Hemispherex Biopharma (AMEX:HEB) down 27%; Aaron's Inc. (NYSE:AAN) down 14%; and Fuqi International (Nasdaq:FUQI) down 13% after announcing a proposed public offering of 4.5 million shares of common stock.

*****Fed Chief Ben Bernanke went before Congress yesterday to reassure lawmakers that he has an exit plan for his inflationary monetary policies. And apparently the markets were soothed by his plans, because everything rallied - bonds, stocks and the U.S. dollar. 

Most importantly, Bernanke has been pretty adamant that inflation is not a threat right now. Prices are still falling for homes and commercial real estate. Demand for oil is down. Unemployment is rising. None of these conditions suggests that more money will be entering the economy in the form of spending.  

What's his plan, you ask? He didn't say exactly. But it will involve higher interest rates and hopefully Treasury buybacks. 

*****Interestingly, Congress is very interested in problems with the commercial real estate market and what the Fed plans to do about them. Right now, $108 billion in commercial real estate is either in default, foreclosure or bankruptcy. That's the double the dollar amount since the start of the year.  

I'm not sure exactly what Bernanke can do about this. The Fed and the Treasury have made it possible for banks to make some money. That, in turn, will give the banks more ability to offset bad assets currently on their books and increase loss reserves for looming problems, like commercial real estate.  

But ultimately, we are seeing an actual deflationary spiral in the real estate sector. There's too much supply and not enough demand and prices are falling. Eventually, as we saw with my 7-Eleven story from yesterday, real estate will move from weak hands too small hands. But prices have to be attractive. Also, given my expectation that unemployment will remain high and the U.S. economy will grow weakly for a few years, it's highly likely that some real estate will simply remain dormant.  

*****Earnings season is rolling along. Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL) beat expectations handily. But the company guided revenues for the rest of the year slightly below consensus. I thought that might be a problem, but apparently not. The stock's up 4%, even after a 10% rally last week.  
 
 Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO) and US Bancorp (NYSE:USB) have reversed early losses to trade in the green. After a long consolidation for stock prices, it looks like we might be breaking out for another upside move. But after the move we've seen over the last seven trading days, I can't help but to be a little skeptical.  
 
Best Regards,

Ian Wyatt
Editor
SCI Daily

Supertex Inc. (Nasdaq:SUPX), Navigant Consulting Inc. (Nasdaq:NCI) and Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Cardinal Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:CFNL), Landrys Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq:LNY), La-Z-Boy Inc. (Nasdaq:LZB), Parexel International Corporation (Nasdaq:PRXL), RTI International Metals Inc.  (Nasdaq:RTI) and Taylor Capital Group Inc. (Nasdaq:TAYC).

CVB Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:CVBF), ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CKSW) and BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (Nasdaq:BDSI) are among most actively traded small-cap companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI), Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX), Spartan Motors Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN) and A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR).

Medicinova Inc. (Nasdaq:MNOV), Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX) and JDA Software Group Inc. (Nasdaq:JDAS) are among the new 52-week highs in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Lannett Co Inc. (Nasdaq:LCI), RINO International Corp. (Nasdaq:RINO), Dorman Products Inc. (Nasdaq:DORM), Intellon Corp. (Nasdaq:ITLN), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and NeurogesX Inc. (Nasdaq:NGSX).

Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) and PetMed Express Inc. (Nasdaq:PETS) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Infinera Corp. (Nasdaq:INFN), CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT), ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CKSW), China Housing & Land Development Inc. (Nasdaq:CHLN), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (Nasdaq:BDSI).

Hi-Tech Pharmacal Inc. (Nasdaq:HITK), Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:NOVN) and Interactive Intelligence Inc. (Nasdaq:ININ) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: USEC Inc. (Nasdaq:USU), Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (Nasdaq:EXM), American Dairy Inc. (Nasdaq:ADY), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), Xyratex Ltd. (Nasdaq:XRTX) and Blue Nile Inc.. (Nasdaq:NILE).

American Dairy Inc. (Nasdaq:ADY), CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT) and Grupo Radio Centro (Nasdaq:RC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Pricesmart Inc. (Nasdaq:PSMT), ChinaEdu Corp. (Nasdaq:CEDU), Starlims Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:LIMS), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), Adams Resources & Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:AE) and Brightpoint Inc. (Nasdaq:CELL).

In his Validea newsletter, John Reese assesses Fuqi Int'l (NASDAQ: FUQI), a designer of jewelry in China,on the long-term investment strategy 0f the legendary investor Peter Lynch.

"According to the Lynch model, this company would be categorized as a fast grower.

"The Lynch strategy suggests that investors should examine the P/E (10.82) relative to the growth rate (42.99%), based on the average of the 3, 4 and 5 year historical eps growth rates, for a company.

"This is a quick way of determining the fairness of the price. In this particular case, the P/E/G ratio for FUQI (0.25) is very favorable.

"This methodology favors companies that have several years of fast earnings growth, as these companies have a proven formula for growth that in many cases can continue many more years.

"The Lynch also likes to see earnings growth in the range of 20% to 50%, as earnings growth over 50% may be unsustainable. The EPS growth rate for FUQI is 43.0%, based on the average of the 3, 4 and 5 year historical eps growth rates, which is considered 'OK'.

"This methodology would consider the Debt/Equity ratio for FUQI (19.97%) to be acceptable (equity is three to ten times debt). This ratio is one quick way to determine the financial strength of the company."
 

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:SPPI), Geron Corp (Nasdaq:GERN) and Force Protection Inc (Nasdaq:FRPT) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), Century Aluminum Co (Nasdaq:CENX), ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (Nasdaq:ATPG), CardioNet Inc (Nasdaq:BEAT), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF) and Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI).

ADC Telecommunications Inc. (Nasdaq:ADCT), Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ENER) and Acorda Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOR) are among the most actively traded companies in Thurday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT), Wind River Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:WIND), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI), Acura Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:ACUR) and Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI).

Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:PARD), IncrediMail Ltd. (Nasdaq:MAIL) and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) are among the new 52-week highs in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CKSW), Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:OPTR), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), Acacia Research-Acacia Technologies (Nasdaq:ACTG), RehabCare Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:RHB) and North Asia Investment Corp. (Nasdaq:NHR).

Geron Corp (Nasdaq:GERN), Prospect Capital Corp (Nasdaq:PSEC) and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:SPPI) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI), AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:AMAG), XenoPort Inc (Nasdaq:XNPT), Canadian Solar Inc (Nasdaq:CSIQ), American Capital Agency Corp (Nasdaq:AGNC) and ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd (Nasdaq:CKSW).

First Advantage Corp. (Nasdaq:FADV), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and PMC Commercial Trust (Nasdaq:PCC) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Investors Title Co. (Nasdaq:ITIC), Starlims Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:LIMS), Sharps Compliance Corp. (Nasdaq:SMED), Lannett Co Inc. (Nasdaq:LCI), Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (Nasdaq:IESC) and Flexsteel Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FLXS).

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: MedQuist Inc. (Nasdaq:MEDQ), Century Aluminum Co (Nasdaq:CENX), Ener1 Inc. (Nasdaq:HEV), ArcSight Inc. (Nasdaq:ARST), Broadpoint Gleacher Securities Group Inc. (Nasdaq:BPSG) and Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI).

Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR) and Medicines Co. (Nasdaq:MDCO) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (Nasdaq:ATPG), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), China Medical Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:CMED), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI).

National Penn Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq:NPBC), Nelnet Inc. (Nasdaq:NNI) and Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MIPI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: ChinaCast Education Corp. (Nasdaq:CAST), Wonder Auto Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:WATG), Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS), Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CLDX), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Talbots Inc. (Nasdaq:TLB).

Cabot Corp. (Nasdaq:CBT), Ezcorp Inc. (Nasdaq:EZPW) and Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: China Fire & Security Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CFSG), NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI), Orion Marine Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ORN), Isramco Inc (Nasdaq:ISRL), Orthovita Inc. (Nasdaq:VITA) and Startek, Inc. (Nasdaq:SRT).

Tree.com Inc. (Nasdaq:TREE), Renesola(Nasdaq:SOL) and Benihana National Corp. (Nasdaq:BNHNA) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Gainsco Inc. (Nasdaq:GAN), Starlims Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:LIMS), Transcept Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:TSPT), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (Nasdaq:GWR) and ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (Nasdaq:ATPG).

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) and China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. (Nasdaq:TQNT), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ).

Gainsco Inc. (AMEX:GAN), Universal Travel Group (AMEX:UTA) and Lithia Motors Inc. (NYSE:LAD) are among the new 52-week highs in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Also included among the results: MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ:MNKD), Fuqi International Inc. (NASDAQ:FUQI) and AboveNet Inc. (NYSE:ABVT), Bridgford Foods Corp. (Nasdaq:BRID), Alliance Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:ALNC) and STEC Inc. (Nasdaq:STEC).

Limelight Networks Inc. (Nasdaq:LLNW), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (Nasdaq:BDSI) are among the new 52-week highs in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: SIGA Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGA), Gander Mountain Co. (Nasdaq:GMTN), Virtus Investment Partners Inc. (Nasdaq:VRTS), Smith Micro Software Inc. (Nasdaq:SMSI), ShoreTel Inc. (Nasdaq:SHOR) and Kirklands Inc. (Nasdaq:KIRK).

Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT), Kirklands Inc. (Nasdaq:KIRK) and Cott Corp. (Nasdaq:COT) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Calavo Growers Inc. (Nasdaq:CVGW), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), SIGA Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGA), Carmike Cinemas Inc. (Nasdaq:CKEC), Gander Mountain Co. (Nasdaq:GMTN) and Orion Marine Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ORN).

Formula Systems Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:FORTY), Saks Inc. (Nasdaq:SKS) and Mercantile Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:MBR) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Safe Bulkers Inc. (Nasdaq:SB), CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT), Lifeway Foods Inc. (Nasdaq:LWAY), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), W Holding Co Inc. (Nasdaq:WHI) and eLoyalty Corp. (Nasdaq:ELOY).

Novogen Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:NVGN), Logility Inc. (Nasdaq:LGTY) and OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:OGXI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Stocks are in the red today after new data did little to bolster investors’ spirits that the economy is slowly getting better.

At 2:51 pm ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is down 1.43%, while the Dow is down 1.10% and the S&P 500 is down 1.44%.

Today the Labor Department said consumer prices in April were flat, as economists predicted, while New York-area manufacturing activity and industrial production contracted less than economists expected. Investors remain cautious ahead of several reports out next week on housing.

Small caps bucking the decline today include BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:BCRX), up 30% after reporting encouraging results from its Phase II lymphoma trial, and Fuqi International (Nasdaq:FUQI), 20% higher following strong first-quarter results.

******You know over the course of the past few months I’ve not held Wall Street or the banking executives in high regard. I hold them almost — that’s almost — singularly accountable for our current recession (Uncle Sam and private citizens who borrowed too much are to blame as well), but the government is beginning to really stick its nose too far. For example, today’s headlines (those not about whether Nancy Pelosi knew about torture and when she knew it) are consumed with government pushing itself on private industry, most notably with the pressure on Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) to change its board.

Granted, “regime change” is a necessity for most of the companies receiving TARP money. After all, they’re the ones who got us into this mess. But shouldn’t it be shareholders forcing the issue? You saw how they forced Ken Lewis of Bank of America to give up his role as chairman. This was done at the shareholder level, not by some bureaucrats in a windowless office overlooking the National Mall.

But for many Beltway insiders this isn’t enough. Someone’s got . . .

Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:VNDA) and Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq:NKTR) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Smithtown Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:SMTB), Middleby Corp. (Nasdaq:MIDD), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN) and Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:ENZN).

Microsemi Corp. (Nasdaq:MSCC), USANA Health Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:USNA) and OSI Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OSIS) are among the  lead small-cap percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: First Citizens Bancorp Cleveland (Nasdaq:FCZA), Celadon Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CLDN), China Biotics Inc. (Nasdaq:CHBT), Hiveld Steel Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:HSVLY), Digital River Inc. (Nasdaq:DRIV) and Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI).

Small-cap stocks opened lower, pressured by bleak retail sales data, soft earnings news, a pullback in energy prices, money flow into credit markets and a “breather” mentality after Thursday afternoon’s humongous recovery rally. At 9:57 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 5.85, or 1.19%, at 485.39.

Today’s “big event” -- the retail sales report, came in below expectations with a record October drop of 2.8%, far off the projection for a 1.5% decline, but closer to the whisper numbers making the round late this week. Stock index futures were down about 1.5% before the awful retail sales release and they remained down about 1.5% in the 60 minutes following the report, which suggests that other factors were at play. This morning’s Michigan sentiment survey came in at 57.9, which was slightly better than the forecast of 56.5, and which appeared to have little impact on trading.

The pullback this morning could simply be the market taking a break after a stunning bullish reversal off bear market lows Thursday. There is also a chance that traders don’t want to be caught short over the weekend just in case the G-20 comes out with some stunning stimulus package. G-20 leaders started an economic summit today in Washington to discuss the ongoing global financial crisis. And while G-20 leaders are in Washington working on ways to fix the world’s financial problems, central bankers are over in Europe, where the latest news overnight is that the eurozone economy slipped into recession for the first time in 15 years. Bernanke said that bank liquidity measures were generating tentative improvements in credit markets and that central banks remain ready to act if needed. His comments came into the teeth of the retail sales release but seemed to have limited initial market reaction.

Libor rates edged up again overnight for the second consecutive session, which raises some caution flags among investors about the lending mentality around the world. Within the credit spectrum this morning, money seemed to moving into Treasury products, with the yield on benchmark 10-year notes tumbling more than 3%. Since yields move inverse to price the big slide on rates reflects demand for Treasury products. Energy shares were a big positive factor for the market during Thursday’s rally, but were a drag this morning as crude oil prices slipped about $0.70 . . .

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), Glacier Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:GBCI) and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE) 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), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Centennial Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:CYCL), AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAG), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Pan American Silver Corp. (Nasdaq:PAAS).

AtriCure Inc. (Nasdaq:ATRC), Electro-Optical Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:MELA) and Royale Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:ROYL) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.      

Also included among the results: Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq:GILT), Overstock.com Inc. (Nasdaq:OSTK), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), PGT Inc. (Nasdaq:PGTI), SeaBright Insurance Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:SEAB) and MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:MKTX).   

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:  

TurboChef Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:OVEN), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Hoku Scientific Inc. (Nasdaq:HOKU) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.   

Also included among the results: Omega Navigation Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq:ONAV), Fundtech Ltd. (Nasdaq:FNDT), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Cytori Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CYTX), China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) and Penson Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:PNSN).       

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:       

Canadian Solar Inc (Nasdaq:CSIQ), China Sunergy Co Ltd (Nasdaq:CSUN) and Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Phase Forward Inc (Nasdaq:PFWD), TASER International Inc (Nasdaq:TASR), Cal-Maine Foods Inc (Nasdaq:CALM), Spectranetics Corp (Nasdaq:SPNC), Ladish Co Inc (Nasdaq:LDSH) and Ness Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:NSTC).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Small-cap stocks edged higher Tuesday, supported by a pullback in crude oil prices, a firm tone in the U.S. dollar, a jump in tech stocks and modest buying from those who saw last week’s damage as overdone. Energy-inspired trades, both on the buy side and sell side, were also a prominent feature in stocks. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 10.28, or 1.42% at 734.38.

Despite an extended holiday weekend, trading decisions in equities continued to be directed by the same dominant element that was the focal point last week – gyrations in crude oil prices. When crude oil was higher before this morning’s opening, stocks were lower in pre-market trading, and when the energy market tumbled right before the opening, stocks started higher and held onto those gains throughout the session.

With crude oil taking a breather today, energy stocks became a profit-taking target, and one of the major drags on large-cap index products came from the energy sector. Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) was off 0.8% and Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX) was down 1.2%. Another play on the crude oil decline came from airline stocks—a group that could use a break on the energy front after being hammered for months on end. The AMEX Airline Index was up 3.8% Tuesday, and small cap US Airways Group Inc. (NYSE:LCC) gained 4.5%, small comfort after collapsing 46% last week...

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 . . .

Fuqi International, Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI), Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASPM) and Provident Bankshares Corp. (Nasdaq:PBKS) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Cano Petroleum, Inc. (AMEX:CFW), Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:TCBI) and Knoll, Inc. (NYSE:KNL) are also among the top small-cap percentage gainers.

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

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.

Investors are catapulting shares of Fuqi International, Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) higher in pre-market trading after the Chinese jewelry designer said this morning that it is raising its 2008 first quarter and full year guidance after initial review of its operating results and internal forecasts for the remainder of the year.

The small cap also said it expects to continue to sustain long-term wholesale gross margins in with additional gross margin upside as its branded retail business translates more meaningfully to overall sales.

Shares vaulted 18%, or $1.10, to $7.20 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Fuqi International, click FUQI.

Shares of Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) are flat despite news before the start of trading that fourth-quarter profit nearly tripled. The Chinese designer of precious metal jewelry reported that net income for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2007, was $7.4 million, or $0.39 per share, an increase of 253% compared with earnings of $2.1 million, or $0.15 per share, a year earlier.

At 10:47 a.m. ET, the stock had declined $0.15, or 2%, to $7.13.

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

Personal income rose a more-than-expected 0.5% in February, the U.S. Commerce Department reported this morning. Economists were expecting an increase of 0.3%. The same report also showed that personal spending increased 0.1%, in line with projections.

The bullish pre-market sentiment is in part in reaction to news that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) recommended buying shares of financial services company Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LEH).

The Russell 2000 ended the day Thursday with a thud, closing out near the lows at 692.39, down 9.73, or 1.39%, for the day. The 10:00 a.m. ET sentiment figures could also stir some reaction in the market.

It would provide a lift for the index to close out the week above 685, to help validate the recent upward draft off the lows. In addition, a close on Monday above 686.05 would provide the first monthly close above opening levels since October, which is an astoundingly long time for any market. For short-term traders, support comes in Friday at 686, 680 and 674. Meanwhile, resistance is pegged at 700, 706 and 714.

No more powerful symbol of China's new prosperity exists than Shanghai, the cosmopolitan city of gleaming futuristic skyscrapers. Money has clearly found its way here, as five-star hotels, swanky boutiques, stylish art galleries and trendy cigar bars have supplanted rundown Mao-era commercial and government buildings. Shanghai today serves as the luxurious standard to which the rest of China aspires.

In fact, luxury is a white-hot market in China, which has become the world's third-largest consumer of luxury goods. China's new generation, in particular, has been seduced by flash. Merchandise with a high-end feel is being successfully marketed to the wealthy, borderline wealthy and middle-market consumers who are eager to sample the good life. Taking a cue from the West, conspicuous indulgences and creature comforts, ranging from designer clothing to diamond engagement rings and status-rich automobiles, are increasingly coveted by China's ever-growing relatively affluent middle class.

These newly-acquired expensive tastes play right into the hands of Fuqi International, Inc. (Nasdaq: FUQI), a company that designs, manufactures, markets and distributes precious metal jewelry to the Chinese luxury goods market. Fuqi, which currently has a design database of over 20,000 products, specializes in producing jewelry in a wide range of styles using gold, platinum, diamonds, and other precious stones and materials.  

The jewelry maker's extensive distribution network, spanning almost all of China's 22 provinces, gives it an important advantage over rivals, allowing the company to test-market, promote and sell its products directly to wholesalers, distributors and retailers nationwide.

After raising $63 million in an IPO priced at the top of its $7 to $9 forecast range, Fuqi made a heady market debut on Oct. 23, with its stock opening at $10.01, or 11% higher, before rising as high as $11.75 in afternoon trading. While shares fell back to earth on Nov. 7, closing at $6.32, the stock has since been rising somewhat steadily. It closed at $8 on Wednesday.