Tag - Newp

Lincoln Bancorp (Nasdaq:LNCB), Western Refining Inc. (Nasdaq:WNR) and Medivation Inc. (Nasdaq:MDVN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Newport Corp. (Nasdaq:NEWP), Timberland Co. (Nasdaq:TBL), Noble International Ltd. (Nasdaq:NOBL), Banner Corp. (Nasdaq:BANR), Chemgenex Pharm (Nasdaq:CXSP) and United Natural Foods Inc. (Nasdaq:UNFI).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Newport Corp. (Nasdaq:NEWP) got a 9.3% boost this morning after announcing plans to cut 8% to 10% of its workforce and implementing other cost-reduction initiatives in an effort to improve its operating profit in 2009.
 
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, Irvine, Calif.-based Newport said it also plans to transfer or outsource certain manufacturing processes and streamline administrative processes.
 
The advanced technology company hopes the moves will improve its operating profit by $11 million to $14 million in 2009.
 
By mid-morning, Newport is at $10.24, up $0.87. The stock has ranged between $9.24 and $16.15 in the past year.
 
For detailed price information and news stories on Newport, click NEWP.

Newport Corporation (Nasdaq:NEWP) has sunk more than 20% today after analysts at Brean Murray downgraded the Irvine, Calif.-based company to “hold” from “buy.” The research firm said that the outlook was unclear for Newport, which operates two sectors, lasers and photonics and precision technologies. The downgrade comes on the heels of Newport’s second-quarter earnings, in which the company swung to a quarterly loss.

During the past year, shares have ranged from $9.34 to $16.15. In today’s trading, Newport shares are at $10.26, down $2.54 from Wednesday’s close. Volume is nearly double the average number of shares.

Harris Stratex Networks Inc (Nasdaq:HSTX), Innospec Inc (Nasdaq:IOSP) and Bare Escentuals Inc (Nasdaq:BARE) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Stoneridge Inc (Nasdaq:SRI), CDI Corp (Nasdaq:CDI), Deluxe Corp (Nasdaq:DLX), Newport Corp (Nasdaq:NEWP), Arch Chemicals Inc (Nasdaq:ARJ) and RehabCare Group, Inc (Nasdaq:RquotesHB).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Newport Corp. (Nasdaq: NEWP) shares are climbing after the Irvine, Calif.-based firm said it projects its fourth-quarter earnings to exceed its previous guidance range of $0.16 to $0.20 per share.

The firm expects revenue to be in the upper range of between $110 million and $115 million. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect the firm to post a fourth-quarter profit of $0.18 per share on $112.8 million in revenue.

Newport said it expects the new fourth-quarter orders it received to be in the range of $128 million to $130 million, exceeding its previous expectation of about $110 million to $115 million.

"The momentum we are generating in our markets will allow us to begin the new year with a strong backlog and will position us well for a return to revenue growth in 2008,” CEO Robert J. Phillippy said in a statement.

In morning trading, NEWP shares are up 12.26%, or $1.49, at $13.64. Over the last 52 weeks, shares have ranged from $11.85 to $20.90.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are rising and the small-cap index will likely open in positive territory.

Small-cap stocks are ready to begin trading on a bullish note for the second consecutive session, while investors await data on pending November U.S. home sales. The numbers will be released shortly after the opening.

If KB Home is any indication, the U.S. housing market continues to agonize. The Los Angeles, Calif.-based builder of single-family homes reported this morning that its fiscal fourth-quarter loss was $772.7 million, or $9.99 per share, compared with a loss of $49.6 million, or $0.64 per share, a year ago.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers and losers in pre-market trading among companies with a market cap between $100 million and $750 million:

Biggest percentage gainers:

• Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SIRT), up 14% on news of positive results from a clinical study of a diabetes drug.
• Newport Corp. (NEWP), up 7% on news that it expects fourth-quarter earnings above its previous forecast.
• Websense Inc. (WBSN), up 6% to on news it expects to beat its previously released fourth-quarter revenue projections.

Biggest percentage losers:

• ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (CXSP), down 11%.
• Hill International, Inc. (HINT), down 4% on news of a joint venture with an investment management firm.
• The Dress Barn, Inc. (DBRN), down 3%.