Tag - Hogs

DryShips Inc.(Nasdaq:DRYS), Zhongpin Inc.(Nasdaq:HOGS) and Integrated Device Technology Inc.(Nasdaq:IDTI) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Astec Industries Inc.(Nasdaq:ASTE), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.(Nasdaq:EGLE), TBS International Ltd.(Nasdaq:TBSI), BreitBurn Energy Partners L P (Nasdaq:BBEP), Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc.(Nasdaq:PNFP) and GT Solar International Inc.(Nasdaq:SOLR).

DryShips Inc (Nasdaq:DRYS), Zhongpin Inc (Nasdaq:HOGS) and AngioDynamics Inc (Nasdaq:ANGO) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: ICU Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:ICUI), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Central European Distribution Corp. (Nasdaq:CEDC), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), The9 Ltd. (Nasdaq:NCTY) and Apollo Investment Corp. (Nasdaq:AINV).

Skillsoft ADR (Nasdaq:SKIL), MAXXAM Inc (Nasdaq:MXM) and PHI Inc (Nasdaq:PHIIK) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Zhongpin Inc (Nasdaq:HOGS), Ryland Group Inc (Nasdaq:RYL), Dillard's Inc (Nasdaq:DDS), W.R. Grace & Co (Nasdaq:GRA), West Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:WTBA) and Ship Finance International Ltd (Nasdaq:SFL).

Computer Programs And Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CPSI), Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS) and Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI), LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq:LHCG), Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOTT), GMX Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:GMXR) and Zions Bancorp (Nasdaq:ZION).

Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS) and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. (Nasdaq:CBRL) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (Nasdaq:CETV), MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MAPP), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), Bucyrus International Inc. (Nasdaq:BUCY), DrdGold ADR (Nasdaq:DROOY) and Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN).

Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM), DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS) and Iconix Brand Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ICON) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Zhongpin Inc (Nasdaq:HOGS), Fushi Copperweld Inc. (Nasdaq:FSIN), Cepheid (Nasdaq:CPHD), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Synaptics Inc. (Nasdaq:SYNA) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF).

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO) and Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: PDL BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq:PDLI), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS), Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:ALDN), American Commercial Lines Inc. (Nasdaq:ACLI) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ).

Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS), Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq:DAKT) and Harbin Electric Inc. (Nasdaq:HRBN) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: ViewPoint Financial Group (Nasdaq:VPFG), Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Focus Media Holding Ltd. (Nasdaq:FMCN), Ciena Corp. (Nasdaq:CIEN) and American Capital Agency Corp. (Nasdaq:AGNC).

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening, showing a resilient rise in the face of yet another downbeat economic report. Today’s monthly employment release showed unemployment at 14-year highs, but the market was oversold and a dreary report was already priced into expectations. Today’s small-cap gainers are LandAmerica Financial Group (NYSE:LFG), Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. (NYSE:FNF) and Zhongpin  (Nasdaq:HOGS).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Energy stocks performed well in Europe ahead of the jobs report this morning; commodities in general have been clobbered again this week and could be ripe for a little corrective bounce.  
• Crude oil edged slightly higher this morning, mimicking minor losses in the U.S. dollar.  
• Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening, showing a resilient rise in the face of yet another downbeat economic report.  
• The market is coming off the worst two-day drop since the 1987 crash, leaving room for a corrective bounce ahead of the weekend. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• LandAmerica Financial Group stormed 78% higher on news that Fidelity National Financial will buy LFG for $126 million in stock. See (NYSE:LFG).
• Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. is up 26%, receiving an earnings lift. See (NYSE:FNF).  
• Zhongpin expands prepared meat capacity by 114%; shares up nearly 12% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:HOGS).
• Bristow upbeat on Randgold Resources despite 3Q loss; shares of Randgold are 4% higher in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:GOLD).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Delta Petroleum Corp. is down 31%, gapping lower on news that Tracinda Corp. will not proceed with a previous tender offer. See (Nasdaq:DPTR).  
• Genworth Financial sliding 24% in pre-market, Q3 results down versus a year ago. See (NYSE:GNW).  
• Shares of Lear Corp. are down 24% after the automotive supplier recorded a $77.3 million loss in Q3. See (NYSE:LEA). 
• Suntech Power Holdings completes solar photovoltaic installation at Caltech on Wednesday; shares are dropping 24% today. See (NYSE:STP).  

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS), Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI), Ezcorp Inc. (Nasdaq:EZPW), True Religion Apparel Inc. (Nasdaq:TRLG) and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO) and Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: CV Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CVTX), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), i2 Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ITWO), THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI), Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE) and GT Solar International Inc. (Nasdaq:SOLR).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAG), Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS) and DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday'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), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Allscripts Misys Healthcare Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:MDRX), Radware Ltd (Nasdaq:RDWR) and Harmonic Inc (Nasdaq:HLIT).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Ciena Corp. (Nasdaq:CIEN), Hercules Offshore Inc. (Nasdaq:HERO) and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Zoran Corp. (Nasdaq:ZRAN) and Bronco Drilling Co Inc. (Nasdaq:BRNC) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.   

Also included among the results: i2 Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ITWO), Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS), Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM), Advanced Battery Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ABAT), China Finance Online Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JRJC) and BancTrust Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:BTFG).   

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:           

Small caps are rising in Wednesday’s afternoon trading, after three consecutive losing sessions. Promising economic data assuaged investors’ concerns about the financial sector after Moody’s Investors Service warned that it might lower the credit ratings of bond insurers Ambac Financial Group (NYSE:ABK) and MBIA Inc. (NYSE:MBI). At 2:13 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 6.37, or 0.86%, at 745.37.

The ADP private employment survey today showed a better-than-expected gain of 40,000 jobs in May. Nonfarm payrolls also jumped 60,000 in May. On Friday, the Labor Department reports its data on U.S. nonfarm payrolls for May.

Lower crude oil prices are easing inflation concerns. In afternoon trading, crude oil is down to $122.66 a barrel. Gold futures are also down in Wednesday afternoon action.

Lehman Bros. (NYSE:LEH) shares are dipping after the Wall Street Journal reported that the brokerage firm might need capital from foreign investors to strengthen its balance sheet. Further concerns about the financial sector were raised when ratings agency Fitch said overnight that a couple of large French banks needed to raise capital.

Moody’s Investors Service said Wednesday afternoon that MBIA Inc. has weak new business prospects and may incur higher losses on guarantees it sold on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. Moody’s put MBIA on review for a possible downgrade.

Broad market sectors under pressure include coal energy, home improvement retailers, oil and gas, metal mining, aerospace and defense companies. On the upside, airline, printing services, plastics and rubber, auto and truck manufacturers, school . . .

Small-cap shares hovered near steady levels, trimming away opening losses tied to ongoing concerns in the financial sector amid reports that banks and brokerages need to raise capital. Another slip in crude oil prices likely muted selling interest in equities. At 10:05 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was off 0.66, or 0.09%, at 738.35.

Lehman Bros. (NYSE:LEH) remains at the eye of the latest financial storm, and was trading down 3.4% shortly after the open after tumbling 9.4% Tuesday on persistent talk that the brokerage firm would need to raise capital to shore up the balance sheet. The banking concerns were fanned overnight when ratings agency Fitch said that a couple of large French banks needed to raise capital. The European stock market took a hit on those concerns, losing about 2% heading toward the U.S. open.

The market navigated through a series of economic data this morning, with the final report from the ISM Non-Manufacturing Survey coming out at 10:00 a.m. ET. The ISM data came in at 51.7%, which was above the 51% forecast. There was a brief upside pop on the ISM release, but it didn’t appear to hold trader attention for long.

Earlier today, the ADP private employment survey showed a surprise rise in new jobs in May, which tugged stocks off overnight lows at the time, but had little staying power into the morning trade. In addition to ADP payrolls, the market saw a productivity report that came in just above the forecast at 2.6%, and an MBA mortgage application index that was at six-year lows. The trading shelf life on all of these data releases was collectively short. Later this afternoon near 2:00 p.m. ET, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will speak at Harvard, but his speech topic is titled “Economic Challenges: 1975 and Now” and he’s not taking questions, so it’s unlikely his appearance will stir the market. That said, foreign exchange markets were still buzzing about his rare direct comments on the dollar from Tuesday, which sparked a rally in the greenback.

The opening slide in stocks took place in the face of soft crude oil prices, which shows that the market does have more on its mind right now than just the energy market. Crude oil prices slipped $124 dollars a barrel overnight, pressured by news that India and Malaysia raised fuel prices, which could crimp demand out of Asia. The weekly oil inventory data should come out around 10:35 a.m. ET, which could spark a . . .

Packeteer, Inc. (Nasdaq:PKTR), Dendreon Corp. (Nasdaq:DNDN) and ShengdaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq:SDTH) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS), Sigma Designs, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM)  and SiRF Technology Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:SIRF) are also among the most actively traded small-cap companies in pre-market trading.

Here are the most actively traded small-cap companies in Monday's pre-market trading:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) opened in the red as the momentum from Monday’s rally failed to carry over.

At 10:06 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had declined 2.84 points, or 0.40%, to 698.44. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was down 73.51 points, or 0.59%, to 12,475.13.

Small-cap stocks opened in positive territory but quickly lost ground. The bears were helped by news before the start of trading that prices of existing U.S. single-family homes fell in January. The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index showed a decline of 2.4% from December 2007, indicating that . . .

Chinese meat and food processing company Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS) reported fourth-quarter revenues above the consensus on Wall Street and issued revenue guidance above analysts’ projections. Shares leaped 17.6%, or $1.50, to $10 in pre-market trading.

For detailed price information and recent news stories about Zhongpin, click HOGS. 

Chinese meat and food processing company Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS) reported fourth-quarter revenues above the consensus on Wall Street and issued revenue guidance above analysts’ projections. Shares leaped 17.6%, or $1.50, to $10 in pre-market trading.

For detailed price information and recent news stories about Zhongpin, click HOGS. 

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures have gained, even though the spread has narrowed, and the small-cap index will likely open in positive territory.

Small-cap stocks started out the week with a bang, with the Russell 2000 soaring 19.86, or 2.91%, to 701.28 on Monday. The surge lifted the index to the highest point since late February, and also provided some nice upside support for bullish patterns visible on weekly charts.

Look for resistance Tuesday at 705, 714 and 724. Meanwhile, support is just below the market at 694, 685 and 680. There could be some fireworks in the morning coinciding with the 10:00 a.m. ET release of consumer confidence data.

Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq: HOGS)
Changge City, People’s Republic of China
http://www.zpfood.com/
 
52-week low / high: $6.75 / $15.10
Shares Outstanding: 23.58 million
Market Capitalization: $315 million

If recent market jitters have had you sweating like a pig, than you may as well in invest in one . . . or 721 metric tons of some. Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq: HOGS), a meat and food-processor in the People’s Republic of China, has the potential to give investors a solid chance to reap what they sow. 

China has the highest pork consumption rate in the world. And with the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimating the hog market in China to be worth $32 billion annually, Zhongpin is cashing in on the chow. While the company operates in two business segments — pork and pork products, and vegetables and fruits — pork is its paramount pursuit.

The pork and pork products segment mainly processes live market hogs into fresh, frozen and processed pork products. The segment consists of over 200 meat products, including chilled pork, frozen pork, pig by-products and prepared meats that are sold on a wholesale basis and retail basis. Zhongpin markets the pork products in China to its branded stores, food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators and noncommercial foodservice establishments, including schools, hotel chains, health-care facilities and the military.

The company has eight processing plants in China and a total of 13 production lines with a combined processing capacity of about 721 metric tons per eight-hour working day, or about 259,560 metric tons on an annual basis, translating to a whole lot of hog.

In the third quarter of 2007, reported on Nov. 13, 2007, Zhongpin's revenues more than doubled year-over-year to a record $71.3 million, while gross profit increased 87.6% to $9.7 million and net income leapt 122%, reaching a record $5.9 million, or $0.25 per fully diluted share.

The small cap attributed the strong revenue growth to its market expansion and an increase in the price of pork products in China.

Going forward, Zhongpin is planning for an even bigger slice of the pie with acquisitions and the establishment of new facilities in China aiding its pork production capacity.

Brean Murray analyst Alex Xu initiated coverage on the stock in early January, with a “buy” rating and an $18 price target, which he reiterated later that month.

The firm said Zhongpin appears to be positioned to benefit from the "growing Chinese middle-class population that demands high-quality meat products," and its clean balance sheet will help it gain "significant market share through organic expansion and acquisitions in the highly fragmented meat market." The firm expects Zhongpin to grow earnings at about 25% until 2010.

Hungry investors should keep an eye on this stock, as it has the probability of pacifying many piggybanks.

Note: Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq: HOGS) is on the “Watch List” of Growth Report, a subscription investment newsletter from Business Financial Publishing, which also publishes SmallCapInvestor.com. As a Watch List company, Zhongpin displays many characteristics found in successful stock winners, and is being closely monitored for possible inclusion in the Growth Report portfolio at a later date.

Beef may be king in the United States, but in the People's Republic of China pork, stands at the top of the food chain. The Chinese eat more pork than any other type of meat (70% of meat consumption, by some accounts) and more pork, in fact, than any other country.

Rising demand and mounting production costs in 2007 helped fuel already-soaring pork prices, which pushed up the inflation rate to an 11-year high, left the domestic pork industry reeling and prompted the Ministry of Commerce to adopt a series of measures, including providing subsidies to pig breeders, in an effort to keep prices in check.

The pork crisis and China's problems with food safety issues have not put a damper on the growth and profits of one Chinese company in the pork business: Zhongpin, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOGS). Zhongpin is a meat and food processor whose product line consists of more than 200 meat products (largely pork, pig by-products and prepared meats) that are sold through wholesale and retail stores and supermarkets under the Zhongpin brand name. The company also processes fresh fruits and vegetables.

The pork and pork products business segment markets Zhongpin products in China to its branded stores, food retailers and distributors, restaurants, other food processors and noncommercial establishments, such as schools, hotels, hospitals and the Chinese military. Zhongpin’s fruit and vegetables segment has contracts with over 120 Chinese farms to grow more than 20 types of produce, including strawberries, sweet corn, broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus and lima beans. In addition to supplying the domestic market, it also exports to Europe, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Russia.

In the third-quarter of 2007, reported in November, Zhongpin's revenues more than doubled year-over-year to a record $71.3 million, while gross profit increased 87.6% to $9.7 million and net income reached a record $5.9 million, a 122% leap. The company added 39 new retail outlets (they now operate over 2,900). And, it opened two new processing plants, bringing the total number to eight.