Tag - Hbhc

Hancock Holding Co. (Nasdaq:HBHC), Midsouth Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:MSL) and Cash America International Inc. (Nasdaq:CSH) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Southern First Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq:SFST), Webster Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:WBS), Princeton National Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:PNBC), United States Lime & Minerals Inc. (Nasdaq:USLM), Cornell Companies Inc. (Nasdaq:CRN) and VSE Corp. (Nasdaq:VSEC).

Omnicell Inc. (Nasdaq:OMCL), Cash America International Inc. (Nasdaq:CSH) and Hancock Holding Co. (Nasdaq:HBHC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: VSE Corp. (Nasdaq:VSEC), Hanesbrands Inc. (Nasdaq:HBI), BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq:BSTC), First Citizens Bancorp Cleveland (Nasdaq:FCZA), Eagle Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:EGBN) and Dynamic Materials Corp. (Nasdaq:BOOM).

Small-cap stocks fell hard on the opening, pressured by a run of weak guidance projections on recession fears from the flood of quarterly earnings reports and by a steep slide in equity markets around the world overnight. Today’s small-cap gainers are BGH GP Holdings (Nasdaq:BGH), Carter's Inc (Nasdaq:CRI) and Compellent Technologies (Nasdaq:CML).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The U.S. dollar continues to soar against the euro, climbing some 1.6% this morning to the highest point in about two years.  
• European and Asian equity markets were in a tailspin overnight, with Japan’s Nikkei sinking 6.8%, Singapore tumbling 5.2% to four-year lows and India shares off 4.8%.  
• A “V” shape would imply a relatively quick bounce out of the lull, while a “U” shape would imply a more prolonged slump.
• Debates are already underway in the economic analysis community about whether or not the U.S. economy will see a “V” or “U” shaped recovery out of the recession.

Small Cap Gainers:

• BGH GP Holdings up 17% after stating that it made a buyout offer for Buckeye GP’s remaining shares for $17 per share. See (NYSE:BGH). 
• Children's apparel market Carter's Inc. raised to "buy" from "hold;" reports solid Q3 results. Shares up over 15%.  See (NYSE:CRI).
• Compellent Technologies generates profit in Q3 2008. Shares up 10%. See (NYSE:CML).  
• United Airlines' parent company UAL Corp. recorded a $779 million 3Q loss on fuel Tuesday. Shares are up 12% today. See (Nasdaq:UAUA).  
• Cascade Bank posted a wider-than expected on government’s nationalization of Fannie and Freddie. See (Nasdaq:CASB). 

Small Cap Losers:

• Telecom Argentina skids 19% in the wake of Argentine government’s nationalization of pension plans. See (NYSE:TEO).  
• Hancock Holding Co. off 16% after posting lower earnings that missed the Street by 24%. See (Nasdaq:HBHC).  
• Foundation Coal Holdings Inc. is down 21% after releasing quarterly earnings. See (NYSE:FCL).  
• Kindred Healthcare slips 32% after lowering Q4 and 2008 guidance, reflecting softer hospital operating results. See (NYSE:KND).