Tag - Ntri

Cabot Corp. (Nasdaq:CBT), Ezcorp Inc. (Nasdaq:EZPW) and Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: China Fire & Security Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CFSG), NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI), Orion Marine Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ORN), Isramco Inc (Nasdaq:ISRL), Orthovita Inc. (Nasdaq:VITA) and Startek, Inc. (Nasdaq:SRT).

Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), Euronet Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:EEFT) and Catapult Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:CATT) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: United Natural Foods Inc. (Nasdaq:UNFI), Taleo Corp. (Nasdaq:TLEO), TeleTech Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:TTEC), IXYS Corp. (Nasdaq:IXYS), Zion Oil and Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:ZN) and NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI).

LDK Solar Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:LDK), CryoLife Inc. (Nasdaq:CRY) and NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: NCI Building Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:NCS), Stewart Information Services Corp. (Nasdaq:STC), Vasco Data Security International Inc. (Nasdaq:VDSI), Wells Fargo Cap.(Nasdaq:WSF), Capital City Bank Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CCBG) and Trinity Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:TRN).

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd (Nasdaq:APWR) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Paragon Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:PRGN), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Ciena Corp. (Nasdaq:CIEN), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Hiveld Steel Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:HSVLY) and NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI) announced at mid-session today it had acquired assets of PowerChow LLC’s whole and natural prepared foods provider Nu-Kitchen. The move will help NutriSystem, a weight management company that provides portion-controlled meals, to add to its meal service, the Horsham, Pa.-based NutriSystem said in a statement.

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


• POZEN Inc. (Nasdaq:POZN), up 41% on news its migraine drug has won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• CV Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CVTX), up 20% on news it has sold the rights to one of its drugs.
• AgFeed Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), up 8% on news it has purchased majority stakes in commercial hog farms in southern China.


• National Coal Corp. (Nasdaq:NCOC), down 3% despite news of a narrower fourth-quarter loss.
• NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI), down 2%.
• Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNCR), down 1%.

NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI), Phazar Corp. (Nasdaq:ANTP) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN), Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACLS) and Sigma Designs, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM) 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) fell hard as investors worried about corporate earnings and reacted to news of record high oil prices. The small-cap index dropped 13.54 points, or 1.90%, to 698.38. The Dow Jones Industrial Average let go 49.18 points, or 0.39%, to 12,527.26.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 8.83%, while the Dow has retreated 5.56% and the S&P 500 is down 7.75%.

Small-cap stocks suffered more than their bigger brothers today as fears that the sagging economy will weaken corporate earnings led to a sell-off. United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) reported after the close on Tuesday it lowered its first-quarter profit forecast. The Atlanta, Ga.-based company is considered a bellwether because its performance is closely related to the sales of other businesses.

More bearish news came after the start of trading following news reports that investment bank Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MER) will likely post a first-quarter loss due to its exposure to subprime loans and commercial real-estate debt.

In economic news, the price of oil briefly touched a record high of $112.21 a barrel on news after the opening that inventories unexpectedly fell . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed lower as fears of a slowing economy and its ripple effects spooked investors. The small-cap index fell 0.76 points, or 0.11%, to 711.92. The Dow Jones Industrial Average let go 35.99 points, or 0.29%, to 12,576.44.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has shed 7.06%, while the Dow has declined 5.19% and the S&P 500 is down 7.00%.

“Some believed that a prolonged and severe economic downturn could not be ruled out given the further restriction of credit availability and ongoing weakness in the housing market,” thought members of the U.S. Federal Reserve, according to minutes from its March 18 meeting released after the opening.

The Fed then decided to lower its target interest rate 0.75% to 2.25%. The minutes tell us that the majority of officials considered a deep . . .

NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRI), TRC Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRR) and Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (AMEX:IOT) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

California First National Bancorp (Nasdaq:CFNB), Dynacq Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq:DYII) and Syms Corp. (Nasdaq:SYMS) are also among the top small-cap percentage gainers.

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

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

Small-cap stocks are poised for a bearish opening on news that aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) saw its first-quarter profit decline more than expected. Investors are fearful that the economic slowdown will negatively affect corporate earnings.

The Russell 2000 had another oddly quiet, rangebound session Monday, but again stalled on the 720 area, setting up that point as important short-term resistance. The index dipped 1.05, or 0.15%, to 712.68. Today, key resistance lurks at the aforementioned 720, then again near 725 and 731. Meanwhile, support is pegged at 705.50, then at 700 and 694.

The release this afternoon of the FOMC minutes could serve up some volatility.  Normally, the minutes alone wouldn’t justify expectations for a big stock market move, but the release takes on a little more significance this week because the data slate is tame.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) futures are higher and the small-cap index will likely open with a rise despite news of a steep jobs decline.

Payrolls decreased a more-than-expected 80,000 in March, the U.S. Labor Department reported before the opening. The unemployment rate jumped to 5.1% from 4.8% in February. The data confirm fears of a slowing economy.

Today is all about the monthly Employment Report release. Interestingly, the market has had several bullish short-term employment days in recent months, but those moves lacked staying power in the overall bear market run.

Small-cap stocks on Thursday basically put in a repeat performance of the previous session, but the Russell 2000 did manage to tack on a mild gain of 1.31, or 0.18%, closing at 713.57. Key resistance Friday comes in at 724, then at 731, while support is down at 705, 700 and 685.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) gained despite news of government reports and minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve that showed economic problems. The small-cap index added 7.68 points, or 1.09%, to 710.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) advanced 90.04 points, or 0.73%, to 12,427.26.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 7.31%, while the Dow is down 6.31% and the S&P 500 has shed 7.38%.

Small-cap stocks moved up for the second consecutive session but began the day in negative territory following news that the consumer price index added 0.4% in January, above the expected 0.3%.

The U.S. Labor Department also reported that core consumer prices, which exclude the costs of food and energy, increased 0.3%, above the projected 0.2%.

Core prices have added 2.5% on a year-over-year basis, which is beyond the U.S. Federal Reserve’s preferred range of between 1% and 2%. Worse, annual consumer prices growth has accelerated from 2.4% in December 2007.

The rise in inflation makes it more difficult for the U.S. Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy by cutting its target federal funds rate, the rate at which commercial banks make overnight loans to each other.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are falling on news that January inflation outpaced expectations.

At 10:34 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had declined 3.90 points, or 0.56%, to 698.44. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was down 71.56 points, or 0.58%, to 12,265.66.

The consumer price index added 0.4% in January, the U.S. Labor Department reported before the start of trading. Economists were expecting the CPI to rise 0.3%. Consumer prices have added 4.3% on a year-over-year basis.

The core inflation index, which excludes the price of food and energy, gained 0.3%, above the projected 0.2%. Core prices have added 2.5% on a year-over-year basis.

The U.S. Federal Reserve has stated that it prefers annual core inflation to be in the range between 1% and 2%.

News of higher-than-expected inflation complicates the Fed’s task of lowering its target interest rate to spur economic growth while simultaneously keeping inflation in check. The U.S. central bank will probably grow more cautious, as any cut in the federal funds rate will give the economy a jolt that could also lead to a rise in prices.

At first glance, eDiets.com Inc. (Nasdaq: DIET), an $88 million online diet and healthy lifestyle company, appears superbly positioned to capitalize on the trend of trying to lose weight using innovative diet programs in the digital age.
 
After all, there’s no shortage of potential customers: roughly two-thirds of Americans are overweight (30% of U.S. adults, or some 60 million people, are categorized as obese). At any given time, about a third of the U.S. population—over 70 million individuals—are on diets of one form or another.
 
The company has aggressively pursued Internet advertising and other traffic-generating methodologies, such as Web-based publications and video programs. Among its offerings: a dozen eNewsletters, an online magazine, Glee, which has articles by health, fitness and nutrition experts, and a library of videos featuring healthy food recipes. The company has also begun a push to pursue corporate licensing opportunities with its content and technology.
 
One thorn in the company's side is the fact that competition from large players with substantial marketing firepower like weight management company Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers International, Inc. (NYSE: WTW), NutriSystem Inc. (Nasdaq: NTRI) and Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) is intensifying as these companies find more innovative ways to add to increase their revenues.