Tag - Nstc

Selling interest today was offset by optimism over steady declines for inter-bank lending rates and ideas the bad news on the economy has already been priced into the stock market. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 0.18%, posting a fifth-consecutive higher close, something that hasn’t happened since April. Today’s small-cap gainers are CVR Energy (NYSE:CVI), Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR) and Safe Bulkers (NYSE:SB).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The ISM Manufacturing Survey came in at 38.9%, which was below the forecast of 42% and marked the lowest manufacturing activity index in 26 years.
• For the year, the Russell is now down 30%, while the Dow is off 30% and the S&P 500 is down 34%.
• Today's trading was easily the calmest session seen since the collapse began back in mid-September.
• Airlines appeared to get a lift from another pullback in crude oil prices, which were down $3.90 a barrel, or about 5.7%.
• The AMEX Airline Index rose 5.6% to the highest point since Sep. 22 and is now up 85% since the Oct. 10 low. 
• Wireless telecoms were the top performers, followed by tire and rubber stocks, multiline insurers, life health insurers, glass and metal container stocks, gold and aluminum.
• Casinos were out of favor so far today after posting solid gains late last week. Oil exploration and oil production stocks were also down, as were department stores, home improvement retail, automotive retail and oil and gas storage . . .

Small-cap stocks weathered dreadful manufacturing data, plunging car sales, slumping energy stocks and ongoing worries about the economy to post a minor gain Monday. Selling interest was offset by optimism over steady declines for inter-bank lending rates and ideas the bad news on the economy has already been priced into the stock market. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 0.97, or 0.18% at 538.50, posting the fifth consecutive higher close, something that hasn’t happened since early April. For the year, the Russell is now down 30%, while the Dow is off 30% and the S&P 500 is down 34%.

The market opened higher in line with yet another decline in Libor lending rates overnight, and was also bolstered by a gain in Asian stock markets. Even after the ISM Manufacturing Survey missed the forecast, small-cap stocks were reluctant to press the downside. It was interesting to note that today’s range of about 10 handles marked the smallest daily trading range since Aug. 26 and was easily the calmest session seen since the collapse began back in mid-September.

Perhaps some of the calm was tied to investors staying away from the market during a week of heavy economic event risk, or perhaps they were reluctant to aggressively take on positions ahead of Tuesday’s presidential elections in the U.S. Barack Obama is widely expected to carry the popular vote and usher in a transition to the White House, but market watchers are still keenly watching how the Senate and House races shape up. There is some thought that a huge sweep by the Democrats could spark some unrest for the stock market on the idea that the country tends to prefer a “balance” between parties in power.

As for the ISM Manufacturing report, it came in at 38.9%, well below the 50% line indicative of contraction in the manufacturing sector. The data clearly suggest that the economy has downshifted into recession-style economic activity, and today’s individual automaker vehicle sales numbers certainly didn’t paint a . . .

Summit Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:SMMF), Ness Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:NSTC) and comScore Inc. (Nasdaq:SCOR) are among the new 52-week lows in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Crosstex Energy LP (Nasdaq:XTEX), Ness Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:NSTC) and Lydall Inc. (Nasdaq:LDL) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: CNB Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:CCNE), Crosstex Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:XTXI), OfficeMax Inc. (Nasdaq:OMX), SuccessFactors Inc. (Nasdaq:SFSF), Oneida Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:ONFC) and Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. (Nasdaq:BAGL).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks pushed modestly higher on the opening, and were still holding in positive territory after a dreadful manufacturing report slashed away gains in large-cap index products. Today’s small-cap gainers are Ultrapetrol Limited (Nasdaq:ULTR), Seneca Foods Corp. (Nasdaq:SENEA) and Orion Marine Group Inc. (NYSE:OMGI).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Now that ISM is out of the way, focus will return to debate about the U.S. elections. Since 1900, the stock market has averaged a gain of nearly 10% in the 12 months following a Democrat transition into the White House.  
• The ISM Manufacturing Survey came in at 38.9%, which was below the forecast of 42% and marked the lowest manufacturing activity index in 26 years.  
• Small-cap stocks pushed modestly higher on the opening, and were still holding in positive territory after a dreadful manufacturing report slashed away gains in large-cap index products.
• The ISM figure is expected to come in at 42%, well below the 50% line that indicates contraction.  
• Heavy week for economic data risk: things kick off at 10:00 a.m. ET today with the ISM Manufacturing Survey and finish with a flourish Friday morning with the big employment report.  

Small Cap Gainers:

• Ultrapetrol Limited is up almost 50% in pre-market ahead of its Q3 earnings release next week. See (Nasdaq:ULTR).
• Seneca Foods Corp. is up 25%, gapping higher on light volume. See (Nasdaq:SENEA).  
• Orion Marine Group Inc. jumped 24.9%. See (Nasdaq:OMGI).  
• Safe Bulkers Inc. is up 12.8%, climbing above the 20-day moving average for the first time since early September. See (NYSE:SB).  
• SourceForge gaining 8.5% in pre-market, guides in line, sets stock buyback. See (Nasdaq:LNUX).


Small Cap Losers:

• AtriCure Inc. is tumbling 43% on news that the firm is under investigation by the Department of Justice for potential false claims on the company’s surgical devices. See (Nasdaq:ATRC).  
• Ness Technologies profit rises 121%; shares down 5% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:NSTC).  
• Phoenix Companies down 12% as it slips to a loss in Q3. See (NYSE:PNX).  
• GMAC's bonds tumble after plan to exchange debt, shares dive over 10%. See (NYSE:GMA).  

Small-cap stocks pushed modestly higher on the opening, and were still holding in positive territory after a dreadful manufacturing report slashed away gains in large-cap index products. At 10:03 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 4.05, or 0.75%, at 541.57.

The ISM Manufacturing Survey came in at 38.9%, which was below the forecast of 42% and marked the lowest manufacturing activity index in 26 years.

Now that ISM is out of the way, focus will return to debate about the U.S. elections. The general perception right now is that Barack Obama will win the presidential election, which means market watchers will be looking to see whether or not Democrats win power in the Senate and House. Since 1900, the stock market has averaged a gain of nearly 10% in the 12 months following a Democrat transition into the White House. In addition, vehicle sales were slated to roll in today and could have an impact on automaker shares. The rate for vehicle sales is pegged at 12 million units.

Libor, or inter-bank lending rates, continue to decline and are now at the lowest point since the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. The steady pullback in Libor rates is seen as a sign that frozen credit lines are thawing and that banks are more trusting on the lending front.

In company news this morning, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT) was upgraded by analysts at JP Morgan and the world’s largest retailer was up 1.1% shortly after the open. Also on the analyst front, Merrill Lynch downgraded rival Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS) and the investment bank was off 1.3%. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. (NYSE:GT) topped the earnings forecast and rallied 14.5%.

Individual small-caps of note were highlighted by Seneca Foods Corp. (Nasdaq:SENEA) was up 25%, gapping higher on light volume. Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SB) was up 12.8%, climbing above the 20-day moving average for the . . .

K-Tron International Inc. (Nasdaq:KTII), Connecticut Water (Nasdaq:CTWS) and Omega Protein Corp. (Nasdaq:OME) are among the new 52-week highs in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion. 

Also included among the results: NN Inc (Nasdaq:NNBR), USA Truck Inc. (Nasdaq:USAK), Almost Family Inc (Nasdaq:AFAM), Ness Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:NSTC), US Physical Therapy Inc (Nasdaq:USPH) and China Holdings Acquisition (Nasdaq:HOL).      

Here are the new 52-week highs among small caps: 

Graham Corp (Nasdaq:GHM), Innophos Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:IPHS) and Luminex Corp (Nasdaq:LMNX) are among the new 52-week highs in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: LTC Properties (Nasdaq:LTC), Emergent BioSolutions Inc (Nasdaq:EBS), PharMerica Corp (Nasdaq:PMC), Ness Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:NSTC), Met-Pro Corp (Nasdaq:MPR) and iGate Corp (Nasdaq:IGTE).

Here are the new 52-week highs among small caps:

PetMed Express Inc (Nasdaq:PETS), Ness Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:NSTC) and American Commercial Lines Inc (Nasdaq:ACLI) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Innophos Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:IPHS), Pharmasset Inc (Nasdaq:VRUS), Eresearchtechnology Inc (Nasdaq:ERES), Hansen Medical Inc (Nasdaq:HNSN), Finish Line Inc (Nasdaq:FINL) and STEC Inc (Nasdaq:STEC).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Gentiva Health Services Inc (Nasdaq:GTIV), CryoLife Inc (Nasdaq:CRY) and Computer Task Group Inc (Nasdaq:CTGX) are among the new 52-week highs in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: LHC Group Inc (Nasdaq:LHCG), Overhill Farms Inc (Nasdaq:OFI), Ness Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:NSTC), Allos Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:ALTH), Parlux Fragrances Inc (Nasdaq:PARL) and National Research Corp (Nasdaq:NRCI).

Here are the new 52-week highs among small caps:

Canadian Solar Inc (Nasdaq:CSIQ), China Sunergy Co Ltd (Nasdaq:CSUN) and Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Phase Forward Inc (Nasdaq:PFWD), TASER International Inc (Nasdaq:TASR), Cal-Maine Foods Inc (Nasdaq:CALM), Spectranetics Corp (Nasdaq:SPNC), Ladish Co Inc (Nasdaq:LDSH) and Ness Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:NSTC).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

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

Small-cap stocks are poised for a bullish opening following news that durable goods orders for December increased more than expected.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that orders for durable goods rose 5.2% in December. That’s more than the projected increase of 2.1% and above the revised growth of 0.5% in November. The data for November originally showed a decline of 0.1%.

The numbers also show that orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft, a key measure of business equipment spending, added 4.4% after posting a decline of 0.2% in November.

Investors will be awaiting data on consumer confidence in December, to be released by the Conference Board at 10 a.m. ET.

The statistics will also be watched by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which kicks off a two-day policy meeting. An announcement will be made on Wednesday, with most observers expecting the Fed to lower its target interest rate.

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:

• TBS International Ltd. (TBSI), up 8%.
• Medivation, Inc. (MDVN), up 6% on Monday’s news that it plans to start a Phase III trial of an Alzheimer’s drug.
• Ness Technologies, Inc. (NSTC), up 5% on news it has signed a settlement deal in a long-running arbitration case.

Biggest percentage losers:

• LECG Corp. (XPRT), down 19% on news of a fourth-quarter net loss.
• ICU Medical, Inc. (ICUI), down 16% on news of a decline in fourth-quarter profit.
• NightHawk Radiology Holdings, Inc. (NHWK), down 13% despite news of a rise in preliminary year-end net income.

Ness Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSTC), a global provider of information technology services, said today it completed the acquisition of MS9 Consulting LLC, a privately-held IT services company with a strong presence in the life sciences industry.

Ness Technologies paid $11.4 million for MS9, with an additional amount to be paid in the future based on the achievement of certain performance goals over the next two years.

MS9 generated over $13 million in revenues in 2006. The firm’s clients include Kaiser Permanente, Novartis, Bayer and Lucille Packard, among others.

Shares of Ness Technologies (NSTC) were halted in pre-market trading.

Shares of Ness Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSTC), are edging higher in pre-market trading this morning after the global provider of IT services and solutions, reported second quarter earnings above the Street’s estimates, despite a decrease from last year. 

For the three months ended June 30, the Hackensack, NJ.-based company reported that net income declined $1.8 million or 30%,  to $4.2 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with net income of $6.0 million, or $0.18 per share in the second quarter of 2006. Despite, a decrease from last year, Ness was able to beat analyst estimates. Eight analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $0.11 per share

Revenues were $125.8 million, an increase of 8%, compared with $116.6 million in the second quarter of 2006.

Shares of Ness climbed 5.51%, or $0.70, to $13.40 in pre-market trading.

Shares of information technologies services provider Ness Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSTC) are trading lower on news the Tel Aviv, Israel-based company reported a decline in quarterly net income.  At 10:08 a.m. ET shares were down $0.70, or 5.35%, to $12.39.

Meanwhile, the Russell 2000 was up 7.35 points, or 0.90 percent, at 823.60.