Tag - Mend

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), Focus Media Holding Ltd. (Nasdaq:FMCN) and Ener1 Inc. (Nasdaq:HEV) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Innophos Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:IPHS), China Biotics Inc. (Nasdaq:CHBT), Micrus Endovascular Corp. (Nasdaq:MEND), HADERA PAPER Ltd. (Nasdaq:AIP), Beacon Federal Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:BFED) and Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. (Nasdaq:GNK).

ViroPharma Inc (Nasdaq:VPHM), First United Corp Maryland (Nasdaq:FUNC) and Micrus Endovascular Corp (Nasdaq:MEND) are among the new 52-week lows in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

M I Homes Inc. (Nasdaq:MHO), Abiomed Inc. (Nasdaq:ABMD) and Corporate Executive Board Co. (Nasdaq:EXBD) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Micrus Endovascular Corp. (Nasdaq:MEND), Life Time Fitness Inc. (Nasdaq:LTM), 99 Cents Only Stores (Nasdaq:NDN), Forrester Research Inc. (Nasdaq:FORR), Harman International Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:HAR) and Yadkin Valley Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:YAVY).

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (Nasdaq:EBS), Citi Trends Inc. (Nasdaq:CTRN) and 51Job Inc. (Nasdaq:JOBS) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.      

Also included among the results: ExlService Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:EXLS), Micrus Endovascular Corp. (Nasdaq:MEND), Perficient Inc. (Nasdaq:PRFT), Reddy Ice Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:FRZ), Overhill Farms Inc. (Nasdaq:OFI) and Key Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:KTEC).       

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:   

Small-cap stocks opened lower, succumbing to a series of bad news events overnight, including massive quarterly losses at insurance firm American Insurance Group (NYSE:AIG), disappointing sales at discount giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT), a bounce in crude oil prices and sobering economic data on the jobs front. At 10:03 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 6.09, or 0.84% at 719.80.

The market was already on the defensive ahead of the weekly claims report this morning and when unemployment filings topped the forecast, it generated another leg down in futures ahead of the regular opening. Weekly claims were pegged at 455,000, which marked the largest weekly figure since March 2002. What’s more, the number was well above the forecast of 420,000 and simply adds another layer to ongoing concerns about the labor market. The continuing claims number rose to a fresh cycle high at 3.311 million. The Labor Department said that claims were goosed by a program to extend benefits, but it’s not exactly like the people who need an extension have found a job yet.

“Continuing claims, which are inversely related to job creation, jumped this week to their highest level since December 2003,” Steven Wood, chief economist with Insight Economics, said in an email. “This is an indication that hiring has weakened,” he said.

The pending home sales report, which came out at 10:00 a.m. ET, was up 5.3% and appeared to have limited impact on the market. Even with a gain during June, the number was still down 12% from last year...

Shares of Micrus Endovascular Corp. (Nasdaq:MEND) are toppling on pre-market trading after the medical device company reported a net loss for its fiscal first quarter that widened from the year-ago quarter and fell short of the consensus on the Street. Revenues, though up 9%, were also shy of analysts’ mean estimates. Adding insult to injury, Micrus said its gross margin declined to 75% from 78% last year, as higher sales to distributors at lower margins in Japan and Latin America pulled margins down.

Shares lost 15%, or $2.22, to $13 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Micrus Endovascular, click MEND. 

Micrus Endovascular Corporation (Nasdaq:MEND) is 11% higher in today’s pre-market trading after the medical device manufacturer announced earlier in the day it had received approval to market its Cerecyte microcoil product line in Japan. The San Jose, Calif.-based company’s microcoil line is for the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Micrus Endovascular said in a statement that the approval will help it expand its market share in Japan, a region it called one of “the fastest-growing markets for embolic coils in the world.”

Before the opening today, shares of Micrus Endovascular are up $1.58 at $16. Shares have ranged from $9.92 to $26 during the past 52 weeks.

FCStone Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCSX), Jos A Bank Clothiers Inc (Nasdaq:JOSB) and Canadian Solar Inc (Nasdaq:CSIQ) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Evergreen Solar Inc (Nasdaq:ESLR), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF), Trico Marine Services Inc (Nasdaq:TRMA), Micrus Endovascular Corp (Nasdaq:MEND), TriQuint Semiconductor Inc (Nasdaq:TQNT) and California Pizza Kitchen Inc (Nasdaq:CPKI).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Shares of Micrus Endovascular Corp. (Nasdaq: MEND) are tumbling in pre-market trading this morning after the medical device manufacturer for the treatment of neurovascular diseases downgraded its revenue guidance Monday night.

For fiscal 2008, the San Jose, Calif.-based firm expects revenues to be between $65 million and $75 million, compared with previous expectations of between $80 million and $85 million. Six analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting revenues of $80.32 million.

Micrus said it is revising guidance based primarily on expectations of product approval delays in China, as well as uncertainty regarding possible approval delays in Japan. The revised guidance also reflects slower-than-anticipated sales in North America.
 
Shares of Micrus (MEND) slumped 22.57%, or $5.24, to $18.33 in pre-market trading. 

One of the hottest trends in medicine today is minimally invasive surgeries - procedures using laparoscopic devices and remote controlled instruments to minimize surgical incisions and reduce trauma, pain and scarring for the patient. Minimally invasive surgeries also result in fewer post-surgical complications, shorter hospital stays and in some cases, outpatient treatment.

These techniques may also be used in interventional procedures such as angioplasty, which typically involves threading flexible catheters through arteries to reach the treatment area and clear blockages. Millions of minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures are performed worldwide each year. 

Many cardiac surgeries are performed today using minimally invasive techniques. Instead of the traditional method of cutting through the breastbone to gain access to the heart, surgeons are using endoscopes and specially designed instruments inserted through a small opening in the chest to perform the same procedure. Balloon angioplasty as a treatment for blocked arteries was developed in the 1980s. About 600,000 of these procedures are performed annually in the United States. With further technology advances, minimally invasive procedures will soon become an option for another 300,000 patients undergoing heart defect repair surgeries each year.

These techniques have greatly improved treatment options for cerebral aneurysms, which are bulging arteries in the brain. Left untreated, these bulges can rupture, resulting in  catastrophic brain injury or even death. Repairs are made by inserting a catheter into the femoral artery, which is then threaded through the arterial system into the brain and ultimately the opening of the aneurysm. According to the American Heart Association, about 700,000 strokes occur annually in the United States; many of these may be caused by cerebral aneurysms. Industry sources indicate the worldwide market for treating aneurysms was between $400 million and $500 million in 2006. 

Two small caps poised to benefit are Hansen Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: HNSN) and Micrus Endovascular Corp. (Nasdaq: MEND).

Shares of G. Willi-Food International Ltd. (Nasdaq: WILC) are rising on news this morning that the Israeli food importer reported a first-quarter 2007 net income of $1.6 million, or $0.15 per share, compared with a net income of $5.5 million, or $0.63 per share, recorded in the first quarter of 2006.  Wall Street was expecting earnings of $0.14 per share.  The stock is up $0.06, or 1%, to $7.96.

The following are the most actively traded companies in pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million:

The following are the most actively traded companies in pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million: