Tag - Isrl

Isramco Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRL), Silicon Graphics Inc. (Nasdaq:SGIC) and Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: John B  San Filippo & Son (Nasdaq:JBSS), OmniVision Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:OVTI), NuStar GP Holdings LLC. (Nasdaq:NSH), Nashua Corp. (Nasdaq:NSHA), MAKO Surgical Corp. (Nasdaq:MAKO) and NewBridge Bancorp (Nasdaq:NBBC).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

FirstFed Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:FED), Zale Corp. (Nasdaq:ZLC) and Origin Agritech Ltd. (Nasdaq:SEED) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG), Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:ALXA), US Airways Group Inc. (Nasdaq:LCC), Isramco Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRL), Midwest Banc Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:MBHI) and MGIC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq:MTG).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) managed a small rise on news of mixed economic reports. The small-cap index climbed 1.30 points, or 0.18%, to 713.57, its fourth consecutive rise. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 20.20 points, or 0.16%, to 12,626.03.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has shed 6.85%, while the Dow is down 4.82% and the S&P 500 has retreated 6.75%.

Small-cap stocks spent the morning in negative territory on news before the opening that jobless claims for the week ended March 29 unexpectedly increased 38,000 to 407,000, according to the U.S. Labor Department. That’s the highest level in more than two years and a sign that economic growth has stalled.

The small-cap index recovered and almost touched the flat line at about 10 a.m. ET on news that the U.S. service sector contracted less than expected in March.

But stocks quickly lost their footing again, falling to a session low of nearly 706 at 11 a.m. ET, before beginning a slow climb upward. The bullish sentiment, which . . .

Isramco, Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRL), USEC Inc. (NYSE:USU) and Graham Corp. (AMEX:GHM) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:BMTI), Rand Logistics Inc. (Nasdaq:RLOGU) and China Technology Development Group Corp. (Nasdaq:CTDC) are also among the top small-cap percentage gainers.

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

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) has unexpectedly shed its earlier losses and moved into positive territory. At 1:16 p.m. ET, the small-cap index was up 3.42 points, or 0.48%, to 715.69. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had added 57.57 points, or 0.46%, to 12,663.40.

Investors suddenly became bullish at about 12:35 p.m. ET, pushing stocks small and large into the green. Wall Street was seeing red in the first half of the session following news before the opening that jobless claims for the week ended March 29 unexpectedly rose to the highest level in more than two years, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

Equities got some relief on news after the start of trading that the U.S. service sector contracted less than expected in March.

Among the winners is nutritional supplements maker Mannatech Inc. (Nasdaq:MTEX). The Coppell, Texas-based company . . .

Shares of Isramco, Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRL) are rocketing this morning after the developer of oil and gas properties in the United States and Israel reported after Wednesday’s close that it closed the acquisition of oil and gas producing properties in roughly 40 fields in East Texas, Texas Gulf Coast, Permian, Anadarko and San Juan Basins for $102.9 million.

The Houston, Texas-based firm noted that net daily production from the properties is approximately 600 Barrels of oil and 3.5 MMCF.

Shares spiked 31%, or $9.62, to $40.68 at 10:50 a.m. ET. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Isramco, click ISRL.   

The Russell 2000 (IWM) rose for the first time this week despite news that painted a bleak picture of the U.S. economy. The small-cap index added 10.29 points, or 1.49%, to 702.78. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) added 46.90 points, or 0.38%, to 12,247.00.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has shed 8.26%, while the Dow has let go 7.67% and the S&P 500 has left behind 8.95%.

Small-cap stocks went on a rollercoaster ride that started with a decline out of the gate as investors reacted to news that U.S. retail sales in January generally missed already low expectations.

That’s a worrying sign that consumers have pulled back and the economy is either headed for a recession or already in one.

Grabbing the headlines was Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), which announced that its January same-store sales increased a paltry 0.5%, below the forecasted 2%. If American consumers really are reining in their spending, the squeeze won’t be felt just by the world’s largest retailer.

“Smaller-cap retailers are definitely more volatile than their larger brethren, many times because they are focused on one particular niche,” said Eric Beder, a retail analyst with investment bank Brean Murray, Carret & Co., in an email.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and Dow lost big today as news of disappointing earnings and residual credit fears scared investors. The small-cap index suffered the biggest loss of the major U.S. indices, falling 26.24 points, or 3.18%, to 798.79. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) retreated for the fifth time this week, letting go 366.94 points, or 2.54%, to 13,522.02.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has increased 1.44%, while the Dow has added 8.34%.

The Russell 2000 futures were flat before the start of trading but the index opened in negative territory on news that Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia Corp. (Nasdaq: WB), the fourth largest U.S. bank, reported a 10% decline in its third-quarter profit due to difficult credit market conditions.

The bank also said that that it recorded a provision for credit losses of $408 million, about four times the level during the same three months of 2006.

The news came as an unpleasant reminder that the turmoil in the subprime mortgage sector, which peaked during summer months, is still relevant and capable of spreading shockwaves throughout the financial sector.

The subprime mortgage sector started bleeding earlier this year after U.S. housing prices went into reverse in the second half of 2006. The ongoing housing recession has been identified by observers as the biggest risk to the economy.

Triad Guaranty Inc. (Nasdaq: TGIC), Nanophase Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: NANX) and Isramco, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISRL) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

InterOil Corp. (AMEX: IOC), Ceragon Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: CRNT) and Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: GSAT) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

Cost Plus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPWM), Novacea, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVC) and Isramco, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISRL) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

A management-led team of truckload carrier U.S. Xpress Enterprises (Nasdaq: XPRSA) announced it plans to initiate a $20 per share offer for all class A common stock.

The Associated Press reported on Sunday that General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) is buying thin film products from DayStar Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: DSTI).

America First Apartment Investors, Inc. (Nasdaq: APRO) reported it has signed a contract with Sentinel Omaha LLC, an affiliate of the privately held Sentinel Real Estate Corp., for $25.30 per share, or about $532 million in cash.

Professional services company Versar Inc. (AMEX: VSR) announced it was awarded a design and build contract for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The contract is associated with the base realignment and closure program at Fort Lee, Va.

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX) announced its weight loss treatment Contrave showed a positive effect on visceral fat and insulin resistance in a mid-phase study.

European hedge fund firm GLG Partners announced its plan to go public though a transaction with Freedom Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (AMEX: FRH).

Citing a new management team and expansion outside its core denim business, CIBC World Markets upgraded True Religion Apparel, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRLG) to “sector outperformer” from “sector performer.”

These are the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million:

B. Riley & Co. downgraded footwear retailer The Finish Line, Inc. (Nasdaq: FINL) to “neutral” from “buy” with a target price of $15, from $13.

Vical Inc. (Nasdaq: VICL) reported that preliminary late-stage trial results showed a drug candidate successfully treated the blood flow disease ischemia by increasing the size of blood vessels.

These are the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million: