Tag - Nuan

Small-cap stocks opened flat, but pushed lower amid concerns about banking stocks, which rekindles fears of the credit crunch. In addition, tech stocks were soft, which played into the selling tone.  Some of today’s small-cap gainers were CryptoLogic (Nasdaq:CRYP), Clarcor Inc. (NYSE:CLC) and Nuance (Nasdaq:NUAN).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Crude oil prices tumbled some $0.90 a barrel ahead of the U.S. stock market open, which was a reversal in trend from modest gains seen in European trading.  
• Compared to 2006, foreclosure filings were up 225%.  
• RealtyTrac reported that foreclosures soared 41% in December versus year-ago levels and for the year foreclosure filings were up 81%.
• Technology shares were in retreat mode overnight, but opened up much better than feared.

Small Cap Gainers:

• CryptoLogic up 22% in pre-market after reporting that Q4 trading is in line with expectations. See (Nasdaq:CRYP).
• Clarcor Inc. is up 9%, getting an earnings-related lift. See (NYSE:CLC).  
• Warburg Pincus to purchase $175 million in Nuance common stock; Nuance shares climb over 8% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:NUAN).  
• American Science and Engineering up 5% in pre-market after receiving $67.1 million U.S. government order for ZBV military trailers. See (Nasdaq:ASEI). 

Small Cap Losers:

• ArthroCare Corp. gapped lower and tumbled nearly 37% amid news that the surgical product maker will be de-listed from the Nasdaq exchange. See (Nasdaq:ARTC). 
• Trimble cuts Q4 revenue outlook; shares fall 15% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:TRMB).
• Cynsosure Inc. gapped lower and fell 13% as the maker of medical treatment systems for aesthetic procedures released preliminary results. See (Nasdaq:CYNO).   
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. is down 12% and has been sinking fast the last several sessions. See (Nasdaq:RRGB).

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening but slipped briefly into negative territory as optimism over a new government plan to open credit facilities for mortgage assets and “consumer” loan assets was countered by soft economic reports. The credit news helped the market strive to look past a predictably weak GDP report and a report that said home price declines posted a record decline from year-ago levels. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Life Time Fitness Inc. (NYSE:LTM), Futures Canada China Environment Inc. (Nasdaq:FCCE) and Nuance Communications (Nasdaq:NUAN).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Crude oil prices were off about $2 a barrel shortly after the stock market opening, absorbing a mild pullback off the big 9% surge Monday.  
• Treasury yields were taking a big downside hit even while the stock market was pointing toward a strongly higher open.  
• The Case-Shiller Home Price Index tumbled a record 17.4% from last year and the index was down 1.9% in September from the previous month.  
• The Fed and Treasury announced a new TAL, which will be granted initial funding of $20B via the original $700B in TARP money. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Life Time Fitness Inc. rose 33%, gapping higher after plunging to 52-week lows Monday. See (NYSE:LTM).  
• Futures Canada China Environment Inc. jumped 33% on extremely light volume (only 1,000 shares). See (Nasdaq:FCCE).  
• Nuance Communications Q4 earnings beats Street view, shares up 12%. See (Nasdaq:NUAN).  
• Brinker International climbs over 10% after analyst upgrade company to "strong buy" froM "market perform." See (NYSE:EAT).

Small Cap Losers:

• Zale Corp. was down 25% as the jeweler reported a larger-than-expected loss. See (NYSE:ZLC). 
• SkillSoft dips 13% after guiding below fourth-quarter estimates. See (Nasdaq:SKIL).  
• Penson Worldwide down 9% on light volume in pre-market, following news it will expand its senior managment team. See (Nasdaq:PNSN).  
• United Natural Foods down 2% in pre-market after reporting a drop in Q1 profit. See (Nasdaq:UNFI).