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Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX), Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq:DDE) and Hi Shear Technology Corp. (Nasdaq:HSR) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: US Global Investors Inc. (Nasdaq:GROW), Targacept  (Nasdaq:TRGT), Meta Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CASH), Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (Nasdaq:IESC), Greenbrier Companies Inc. (Nasdaq:GBX) and Horsehead Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:ZINC).

Valhi Inc (Nasdaq:VHI), Greenbrier Companies Inc (Nasdaq:GBX) and Insteel Industries Inc (Nasdaq:IIIN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: First Midwest Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:FMBI), Skechers USA Inc (Nasdaq:SKX), CVB Financial Corp (Nasdaq:CVBF), EZchip Semiconductor Ltd (Nasdaq:EZCH), Landauer Inc (Nasdaq:LDR) and Rubicon Technology Inc (Nasdaq:RBCN).

Deluxe Corp. (Nasdaq:DLX), DineEquity Inc. (Nasdaq:DIN) and Kohlberg Capital Corp. (Nasdaq:KCAP) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Hi-Tech Pharmacal Inc. (Nasdaq:HITK), Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:RIGL), ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (Nasdaq:ATPG), Greenbrier Companies Inc. (Nasdaq:GBX), Investors Title Co. (Nasdaq:ITIC) and Oriental Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:OFG).

Websense Inc (Nasdaq:WBSN), Orexigen Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:OREX) and Pzena Investment Management Inc (Nasdaq:PZN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Kohlberg Capital Corp (Nasdaq:KCAP), Greenbrier Companies Inc (Nasdaq:GBX), Geokinetics Inc (Nasdaq:GOK), Olympic Steel Inc (Nasdaq:ZEUS), Startek, Inc (Nasdaq:SRT) and American Dairy Inc (Nasdaq:ADY).

Orient Express Hotels Ltd. (Nasdaq:OEH), Greenbrier Companies Inc. (Nasdaq:GBX) and UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results:Graham Corp. (Nasdaq:GHM), M I Homes Inc. (Nasdaq:MHO), Heartland Financial USA Inc. (Nasdaq:HTLF), XenoPort Inc. (Nasdaq:XNPT) and Central Pacific Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:CPF).

Stocks continued their drop from the opening on a pullback in energy prices and on rumors that small-cap General Motors (NYSE:GM) may file bankruptcy.  Some of today’s small-cap gainers were Gevity HR (Nasdaq:GVHR), Weight Watchers International (NYSE:WTW) and Genesco, Inc. (NYSE:GCO).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Investors are pulling their money out of equities and piling into bonds and gold.  
• The market is extremely anxious ahead of Friday's February Labor Department report that is likely to show the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. 
• Stocks across the board were falling today, with those in the banking sector posting some of the steepest losses.
• The bad news out this morning weighed on stocks, and included a survey release that showed nearly 12% of mortgage holders are behind on payments or are in foreclosure.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Gevity HR up 85% On TriNet deal at 97% premium. See (Nasdaq:GVHR). 
• Weight Watchers International is up 16% on heavier-than-average volume. See (NYSE:WTW).
• Genesco, Inc. is up 10% after reporting positive Q4 profit results. See (NYSE:GCO).  
• Cornell Companies is up 5% after reporting a rise in Q4 profit. See (NYSE:CRN). 

Small Cap Losers:

• Solutia subsidiary moves forward with patent infringement suit; shares fall 53%. See (NYSE:SOA).
• Jackson Hewitt Tax Service falls 44% after guiding below estimates. See (NYSE:JTX).  
• GE Railcar tells Greenbrier it wants fewer railcars; GBX shares fall 31%. See (NYSE:GBX).  

Oshkosh Corp. (Nasdaq:OSK), DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS) and Selective Insurance Group Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGI) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Small-cap stocks remained lower into mid-session, pressured by worries over the economy following a dour report on the nation’s employment status. Energy shares and homebuilders were taking a hit today, which added to the bearish tilt. Still, the market bounced off the early lows as investors continue to bet that the worst of the recession news is already priced into the market. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Repros Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:RPRX), VSE Corporation (Nasdaq:VSEC) and AZZ Incorporated (NYSE:AZZ).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

•    The Russell 2000 has been hovering around the key 491 support line so far today; a decisive daily close either above or below that point would serve up some clues about near-term price direction.  
•    Losers were swamping winning themes, although gold and tobacco stocks were in positive territory.  
•    Retailers were also taking a hit, with apparel and accessory companies down hard again today.   Jan 09, 2009 12:40pm
•    Looking at sector activity so far today, technology stocks, energy firms, banking shares and homebuilders were pacing the declines.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Repros Therapeutics, Inc. and VSE Corporation established new 52-week highs in early trading. (See Nasdaq:RPRX, Nasdaq:VSEC)  
• JAZZ Incorporated is up 14.4% to $28.31 after a mostly upbeat Q3 earnings report. AZZ makes electrical equipment and components for power generation, transmission, and distribution. (See NYSE:AZZ)  
• Disease-management program administrator Healthways Inc. is up 11% to $11.48 after reporting late Thursday a 13% Q1 profit gain. (See Nasdaq:HWAY)  
• American Medical Systems Holdings Inc. is up 10.7% in pre-market trading, to $9.85, after reporting better-than-expected preliminary Q4 sales after the close Thursday. (See Nasdaq:AMMD)

Small Cap Losers:

• Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. is down 31.4% to $4.15 in pre-market trading, after a report last night that the results of a weight-loss drug fell short of fed requirements. (See Nasdaq:OREX)
• Railway-equipment maker Greenbrier Cos Inc. is down 15.5% to $6.70 after reporting this morning that it swung to a first-quarter loss. (See NYSE:GBX)
• Telecommunications network equipment maker Ciena Corp. is down 5% in pre-market to $8.31. CNBC's Jim Cramer last night put the firm in his "sell block" after a recent run-up in the stock. (See Nasdaq:CIEN)

Greenbrier Companies Inc (Nasdaq:GBX), Wright Express Corp (Nasdaq:WXS) and Yucheng Technologies Ltd (Nasdaq:YTEC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Jones Apparel Group Inc (Nasdaq:JNY), BPZ Resources Inc (Nasdaq:BPZ), Thermadyne Holdings Corp (Nasdaq:THMD), Taylor Capital Group Inc (Nasdaq:TAYC), Bank of the Ozarks Inc (Nasdaq:OZRK) and Cascade Bancorp (Nasdaq:CACB).

Small-cap stocks drifted lower, pulled down by concerns over sizable upward revisions in recent employment reports, which countered any upside glee when the headline non-farm figure was below “worst-case” scenarios. The market is now in a position today of working out whether this jobs report is already priced into the market, or reflects a little darker picture than current stock market valuations. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Repros Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:RPRX), VSE Corporation (Nasdaq:VSEC) and AZZ Incorporated (NYSE:AZZ).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The Russell 2000 chart picture continues in a sideway consolidation pattern. The market needs a decisive push above 514.50 or below 491 to suggest a breakout move is at hand.  
• Stock index futures saw a modest bounce as non-farm payroll declines were not as bad as the “whisper” numbers.  
• The employment report wasn’t as bad as feared, but it still generated a pullback in the U.S. dollar and a rise in gold.  
• U.S. stocks are expected to open near steady levels after this morning's jobs report.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Repros Therapeutics, Inc. and VSE Corporation established new 52-week highs in early trading. (See Nasdaq:RPRX, Nasdaq:VSEC)  
• JAZZ Incorporated is up 14.4% to $28.31 after a mostly upbeat Q3 earnings report. AZZ makes electrical equipment and components for power generation, transmission, and distribution. (See NYSE:AZZ)  
• Disease-management program administrator Healthways Inc. is up 11% to $11.48 after reporting late Thursday a 13% Q1 profit gain. (See Nasdaq:HWAY)  
• American Medical Systems Holdings Inc. is up 10.7% in pre-market trading, to $9.85, after reporting better-than-expected preliminary Q4 sales after the close Thursday. (See Nasdaq:AMMD)

Small Cap Losers:

• Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. is down 31.4% to $4.15 in pre-market trading, after a report last night that the results of a weight-loss drug fell short of fed requirements. (See Nasdaq:OREX)
• Railway-equipment maker Greenbrier Cos Inc. is down 15.5% to $6.70 after reporting this morning that it swung to a first-quarter loss. (See NYSE:GBX)
• Telecommunications network equipment maker Ciena Corp. is down 5% in pre-market to $8.31. CNBC's Jim Cramer last night put the firm in his "sell block" after a recent run-up in the stock. (See Nasdaq:CIEN) 

Small-cap stocks drifted lower, pulled down by concerns over sizable upward revisions in recent employment reports, which countered any upside glee when the headline non-farm figure was below “worst-case” scenarios. The market is now in a position today of working out whether this jobs report is already priced into the market, or reflects a little darker picture than current stock market valuations. At 9:52 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 12.03, or 2.46% at 489.68.

The Labor Department report showed that 524,000 non-farm payroll jobs were lost in December, which was in line with the average analyst forecast for a decline of 525,000 jobs. However, “whisper” numbers were upward of 650,000, so the key headline figure on the jobs release was basically better than feared. That said, some of the other details were not pretty. For instance, the unemployment rate climbed to 7.2%, which marked the highest level in 16 years, and which was above the 7.0% consensus projection. It was also the largest year-over-year increase in the unemployment rate since the 1982 recession. What’s more, the Labor Department dramatically revised job loss figures for October and November, adding another ...

Pozen Inc. (Nasdaq:POZN), Central Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:CEBK) and Healthways Inc. (Nasdaq:HWAY) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: NewStar Financial Inc. (Nasdaq:NEWS), Monroe Bancorp (Nasdaq:MROE), Dorman Products Inc. (Nasdaq:DORM), State Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:STBC), Greenbrier Companies Inc. (Nasdaq:GBX) and Financial Institutions Inc. (Nasdaq:FISI).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) fell hard as investors worried about corporate earnings and reacted to news of record high oil prices. The small-cap index dropped 13.54 points, or 1.90%, to 698.38. The Dow Jones Industrial Average let go 49.18 points, or 0.39%, to 12,527.26.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 8.83%, while the Dow has retreated 5.56% and the S&P 500 is down 7.75%.

Small-cap stocks suffered more than their bigger brothers today as fears that the sagging economy will weaken corporate earnings led to a sell-off. United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) reported after the close on Tuesday it lowered its first-quarter profit forecast. The Atlanta, Ga.-based company is considered a bellwether because its performance is closely related to the sales of other businesses.

More bearish news came after the start of trading following news reports that investment bank Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MER) will likely post a first-quarter loss due to its exposure to subprime loans and commercial real-estate debt.

In economic news, the price of oil briefly touched a record high of $112.21 a barrel on news after the opening that inventories unexpectedly fell . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is trading in the red as investors focus on corporate earnings. At 2:32 p.m. ET, the small-cap index was missing 12.32 points, or 1.73%, to 699.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 90.13 points, or 0.72%, to 12,486.31.

Stocks small and large are in negative territory as investors worry that earnings will be hurt by the current economic slowdown. United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) reported after the close on Tuesday it has lowered its first-quarter profit forecast. The Atlanta, Ga.-based company is considered a bellwether because the strength of its business is closely related to the overall health of consumers and businesses.

More bearish news came after the start of trading following news reports that investment bank Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MER) will likely post a first-quarter loss due to its exposure to subprime loans and commercial real-estate debt.

Separately, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported before the opening that its measure of mortgage loan application volume fell 5.4% for the week . . .

The Greenbrier Cos. (NYSE:GBX) CEO William Furman said the markets in the rail industry “continue to be weak” but he remains optimistic about prospects for the firm, which supplies transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry. Furman made the comments during a midday conference call.

“Overall, car loadings have declined 3% in 2007. This decline is expected to continue in 2008,” Furman said. “However, we are entering this downturn, if that is the appropriate term, in good condition with a strong backlog.”

Greenbrier is “aggressively” managing the concentration risks in its order backlog, Furman said. The company is building cars that are in greater market demand, he said.

“There are some very bright spots in the economy for the railroad business and for railroad suppliers,” Furman said. “Increased fuel prices continue to drive traffic from truck to rail. The lower dollar, while driving commodity prices higher, increases the competitiveness of U.S. exports. We expect growth in those cars, where exports can be served.”

However, the CEO warned that not everything is positive and some risks, particularly in the maintenance sector, exist.

“We are concerned about the movement of railroads toward pushing cost and risk downward in the supply chain at a time when the owners of cars and railroads do not own a majority of these cars and at a time when the supply chain and its owners cannot assume these burdens,” Furman said.

Greenbrier recently terminated a maintenance agreement with a significant customer in order to resist this downward trend, he said.

Before Wednesday’s opening, Greenbrier reported a second-quarter profit of $1.4 million, or $0.09 per share, compared with a net loss of $6.1 million, or $0.38 per share, a year earlier. Although the Lake Oswego, Ore.-based company swung to a quarterly profit, it missed Wall Street analysts’ expectation of earning $0.32 per share.

Excluding expenses related to closing a Canadian facility and other charges, Greenbrier would have earned $0.28 per share during the quarter. No additional charges from the closure are expected to be included in the third-quarter results, Rittenbaum said.

Revenue for the second quarter ended Feb. 29 rose 8% to $260 million from $240 million during the same period of 2007. The consensus estimate of analysts was $275.3 million in revenue.

“This has been a very active quarter,” Furman said. “We are disappointed . . .

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%.

The Greenbrier Cos. (NYSE: GBX) shares are soaring after billionaire investor Carl Icahn revealed in a regulatory filing that he amassed a 9.5% stake in the maker of railroad freight car equipment.

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Icahn owns 1.53 million in the Lake Oswego, Ore.-based company. Icahn, the activist shareholder, said in the filing that he believes GBX shares are undervalued.

Icahn acquired the shares through ARI Longtrain Inc., which is solely owned by American Railcar Industries Inc. Icahn owns about 54% of American Railcar’s common stock. The billionaire said he is interested in pursuing possible business combinations between Greenbrier and American Railcar.

In morning trading, GBX shares are climbing 19.75%, or $4.10, at $24.86. Over the last 52 weeks, shares have ranged from $16.03 to $38.99.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are posting solid gains on news of data that point to a stabilization in the U.S. housing market.
 
At 10:49 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was up 5.28 points, or 0.73%, to 729.23. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 24.22 points, or 0.19%, to 12,851.71.

Pending U.S. home sales fell a more-than-expected 2.6% in November to a reading of 87.6, the National Association of Realtors reported after the start of trading. The October reading was an upwardly revised 89.9.

However, the numbers are seen as a positive sign for the troubled U.S. housing sector.

The Chicago-based trade group reported that the pending sales activity indicates that existing-home sales will hold steady in the coming months before rising late in the year.

“A meaningful recovery in existing-home sales could occur as early as this spring, or it may be further delayed toward late 2008,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, in a statement. “There are more people with financial capacity now than in 2005, but many are trying to market-time their purchase.”

Total new-home sales for 2007 are projected to fall to 773,000, and then decline further to 669,000 in 2008 before rising above 700,000 in 2009.

The stagnation in U.S. housing sector is one of the main factors dragging down domestic economic growth and raising fears of a possible recession.

Shifting gears, the bulls gained strength before the start of trading on news that the CEO of Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC) is stepping down. The New York-based investment bank took a hard hit in 2007 due to the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector, which is inextricably tied to the problems in the housing sector.

The Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX) shares are declining after the supplier of railroad freight car equipment reported first-quarter earnings below analysts’ projections. For the three months ended Nov. 30, Greenbrier posted earnings of $2.6 million, or $0.16 per share, considerably below Wall Street estimates of earning $0.46 per share. During the same period of 2006, the firm earned $1.9 million, or $0.12 per share. Profits were hurt by charges related to the closure of a Canadian facility and foreign exchange losses.

The Lake Oswego, Ore.-based company’s first-quarter revenue was $286.4 million, better than analyst estimates of $273 million and up from $246.6 million a year earlier. The revenue growth was attributed to acquisition related sales.

The firm said in a statement that it does not expect earnings in 2008 to meet the $2.22 per share earned in 2007. Greenbrier said a higher tax rate, lower new railcar deliveries and lower gains on equipment sales will negatively impact earnings. Wall Street analysts are projecting earnings of $2.58 per share during 2008.

In morning trading, GBX shares are down 10.49%, or $2.15, at $18.34. Over the last 52 weeks, shares have ranged from $17.25 to $38.99.

Shares of The Greenbrier Companies Inc. (NYSE: GBX) are on track for a solid gain today following news that the Lake Oswego, Ore.-maker of railroad freight car equipment reported quarterly results that outpaced Wall Street’s projections.

The net income for the third fiscal quarter ended May 31 was $13.0 million, or $0.81 per share, compared with a profit of $10.7 million, or $0.67 per share, during the same three months of 2006, the company announced before the start of trading. Nine analysts polled by Thomson Financial were looking for earnings of $0.39 per share.

April 4 (SmallCapInvestor.com) – Small cap stocks are lower this morning following news of weaker-than-expected factory orders. Shares of the Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX) fell after the company reported a loss in the second quarter, while Packeteer, Inc. (Nasdaq: PKTR) lowered its first quarter revenue projection.