Tag - Nvtl

Prospect Capital Corp. (Nasdaq:PSEC), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR), Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), Kirklands Inc. (Nasdaq:KIRK), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA).

LECG Corporation (Nasdaq:XPRT), Riverbed Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:RVBD) and Elbit Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq:EMITF) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: IRIS International Inc. (Nasdaq:IRIS), The9 Ltd. (Nasdaq:NCTY), Stratus Properties Inc. (Nasdaq:STRS), Capital Bank Corp.  (Nasdaq:CBKN), Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL) and Rockwood Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:ROC).

Small-cap stocks extended the rally into mid-session trading, boosted by a bounce in the financial arena, which has been a notable source of weakness in previous days. In addition, homebuilder, retailer and insurance firms were strong performers today and the raft of companies fitting those profiles in the small-cap universe helped the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) outperform the Dow and S&P 500. Some of today's small-cap gainers are Genworth Financial Inc.(NYSE:GNW), Terra Industries Inc. (NYSE:TRA) and Maidenform Brands Inc (NYSE:MFB).

Other Market Watch highlights included:

• The market now will go into a waiting mode for the 2:15 p.m. ET FOMC policy announcement.  
• Another clear source of strength today came from insurance stocks, with the S&P Insurance Index climbing 4.2%.  
• It was interesting to see homebuilder shares doing so well today despite a terrible report on housing starts, which tumbled to a record lows and were off 18.9%.  
• The ISE Homebuilder Index was up 5.6%, with small-cap firm KB Home (NYSE:KBH) rising 7.1%.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Small-cap firm Genworth Financial Inc. soared some 40%, climbing to the highest point since early November. See (NYSE:GNW).  
• Terra Industries Inc. rallied 13% as the fertilizer company also mounted a big bounce off Monday’s pullback. See (NYSE:TRA).  
• Maidenform Brands Inc. rallied 15% as the intimate apparel maker mounted a recovery off Monday’s big decline. See (NYSE:MFB).  
• Novatel Wireless Inc. names new VP of sales and general manager; shares rise 13%. See (Nasdaq:NVTL). 

Small Cap Losers:

• Satyam Computer Services Ltd. tumbled 56% on unusually heavy volume as the Indian software firm said it will invest $1.6 billion on two infrastructure firms. See (NYSE:SAY).
• Tech company Stec lowers Q4 revenue view, shares fall 15% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:STEC).  
• Cabot Corporation "repositioning" in light of weaker demand; shares tumble 10%. See (NYSE:CBT).  
• Monolithic Power Systems lowers guidance below estimates; shares dip 4% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:MPWR).

China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN), DrdGold (Nasdaq:DROOY) and Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTI) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion. 

Also included among the results: Zumiez Inc. (Nasdaq:ZUMZ), Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), Micromet Inc. (Nasdaq:MITI), Royale Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:ROYL), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI) and Fuel Tech Inc. (Nasdaq:FTEK).           

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:   

China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN), TurboChef Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:OVEN) and Royale Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:ROYL) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.           

Also included among the results: National Coal Corp. (Nasdaq:NCOC), Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTI), DrdGold (Nasdaq:DROOY), Shamir Optical Industry Ltd. (Nasdaq:SHMR), Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL) and China Direct Inc. (Nasdaq:CDS).      

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:       

Small-cap stocks finished out an up and down session Wednesday with a mild profit after spending much of the day getting bounced around by turbulent price action in crude oil futures. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) eventually closed up 1.54, or 0.21%, at 731.60 and is now down 4.49% for the year. The Dow closed up 0.61%, while the S&P 500 was up 0.62%. The Dow is off 13.9% for the year, while the S&P 500 is down 13.2%.

The frenetic action in crude oil overshadowed a positive story in the tech arena following upbeat results by the world’s largest computer maker and shuffled big overnight gains in Asian stocks into the backdrop as well.

Crude oil prices plunged to a morning low at $112.61, as the weekly inventory report showed a surprising increase in stockpiles, but then the market reversed course as the energy traders were uneasy with Russia’s response to a missile deal between the United States and Poland, especially with tensions rising between the U.S. and Russia over the Georgian conflict. For the day, crude oil traded in a wildly wide range between $112.61 and $117.03 and closed up $0.45 at $114.98. Goldman Sachs analysts also reiterated their call for $149 crude oil prices by the end of the year, which probably won’t sit well with long-term equity market bulls if it pans out.

The U.S. dollar remained firm against the euro despite the afternoon surge in crude oil, and a strong tone in the greenback remains a potential positive for equities — reflecting global confidence in U.S. assets, even if some of that confidence is really more a lack of faith in other economies around the world. Elsewhere on the commodity inflation front, corn, soybeans and wheat shot higher and the Commodity Research Bureau Index of 19 key physical markets rose about 0.7%.

Although financial shares performed much better today than they fared Monday and Tuesday, it was hard to look past the dramatic free fall in government-sponsored enterprises (GSE), with Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) collapsing 25% and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) tumbling 21% as investors decided that a government bailout of the 1mortgage financing giants could crush current shareholder value. Both stocks were at their lowest levels in nearly two decades as everyone scrambled for the exit door at the same time. Despite the wipeout in GSEs, major bank stocks and many . . .

Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), ExlService Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:EXLS) and LNB Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:LNBB) are among the new 52-week lows in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.   

Also included among the results: Radiant Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:RADS), National Dentex Corp. (Nasdaq:NADX) and EPIQ Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:EPIQ).

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

After dipping into the red briefly this morning, small caps swung into the green, but remain almost flat midday, as earnings from tech heavy weight Hewlett-Packard, gains in the dollar, and a decline in crude overshadowed concerns surrounding the financial sector, notably Freddie and Fannie’s viability.

At 12:15 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 0.50, or 0.07%, at 730.53, while the Dow was up 0.08% and the tech-laden Nasdaq had slipped 0.04%.

The market focused on the positive in the negative news abyss. Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ), the world’s largest computer maker, posted robust quarterly results that bested the consensus on Wall Street and fueled a surge in the tech-heavy Nasdaq for a good portion of the morning. 

In other positive news, the greenback is gaining against the euro and the yen midday after having trimmed gains earlier in the session. The price moves reflect confidence from overseas investors on the U.S. economy and U.S.-tied assets — including stocks.

As the dollar has rallied, crude oil has turned lower, slipping $1.58 to $112 and change a barrel midday following a report from the Energy Information Administration that oil inventories increased more than forecasted from last week. The commodity has sold off from a surge above $116 a barrel earlier this morning.

Small-cap stocks opened higher, but quickly slipped into negative territory, pulled down by a rally in crude oil prices, which raised a caution flag about consumer spending and inflation trends. An opening burst tied to overseas stock market gains, a firm dollar and strong tech earnings failed to gain traction, but remains a positive element in play looking forward today. At 9:57 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 1.28, or 0.17%, at 728.80, while the Dow was off 0.34% and the tech-laden Nasdaq 100 up 0.13%.

Tech stocks were lifted by solid quarterly results from Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ) as the world’s largest computer maker topped the earnings forecast. HPQ shares were up 4.3% shortly after the open.

Crude oil prices were on the rise this morning, climbing more than $1.50 a barrel back north of $116, bolstered by Goldman Sachs analysts reiterating their forecast for $149 crude oil by the end of the year. In addition, energy prices were supported by short-covering in front of today’s weekly inventory report, which is expected to show a drawdown in crude stocks of some three million barrels. The bounce in crude oil prices was taking an early toll on airline stocks, with the AMEX Airline Index tumbling 7%, with small-cap carrier US Airways Group Inc. (NYSE:LCC) off 8%. In addition to the advance in crude oil, grains prices were called solidly higher today, despite a firm tone in the U.S. dollar.

The greenback was in rally mode overnight, rising about 0.3% against both the euro and yen, which suggests some confidence from overseas investors about the U.S. economy and U.S.-tied assets — including stocks. However, those overnight gains in the buck were trimmed after stocks turned lower.

Some confidence in equities heading into the opening was linked to a big rally overnight in the Chinese stock market, which soared 7% on talk that a government stimulus plan was in the works to bolster equities and spark a slowing economy. In addition to China, stocks in Hong Kong were up 2.1%, Taiwan up 0.9%, . . .

Novatel Wireless Inc (Nasdaq:NVTL), Accuray Inc (Nasdaq:ARAY) and Hickory Tech Corp (Nasdaq:HTCO) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.     

Also included among the results: Investors Title Co (Nasdaq:ITIC), StellarOne Corp (Nasdaq:STEL), ImmunoGen Inc (Nasdaq:IMGN), Palm Harbor Homes Inc (Nasdaq:PHHM), American Woodmark Corp (Nasdaq:AMWD) and Toreador Resources Corp (Nasdaq:TRGL).    

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:  

Shares of Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL) have plunged in pre-market trading after the wireless broadband provider lowered its forecast for second-quarter results after Tuesday’s close. Given the challenging macroeconimic environment, the firm also issued third-quarter results substantially below the Street’s forecast.

Shares tumbled 20%, or $1.71, to $6.69 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and news stories on Novatel Wireless, click NVTL. 

China Sunergy Co Ltd (Nasdaq:CSUN), Novatel Wireless Inc (Nasdaq:NVTL) and Retalix Ltd (Nasdaq:RTLX) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.   

Also included among the results: Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR), FX Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:FXEN), InterVoice Inc. (Nasdaq:INTV), Taser International Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), BSD Medical Corp. (Nasdaq:BSDM) and Ultra Clean Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:UCTT).        

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:    

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) moved up on news of a higher-than-expected rise in producer prices and solid earnings from major players. The small-cap index added 5.99 points, or 0.87%, to 692.06. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 60.41 points, or 0.49%, to 12,362.47.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 9.66%, while the Dow is off 6.80% and the S&P 500 is missing 9.12%.

Small-cap stocks began the day in the green and spent the majority of the session above the flat line on news before the opening that producer prices rose a greater-than-expected 1.1% in March following a rise of 0.3% in February.

The numbers also show a jump in energy and food costs, indicating that inflation pressures remain. However, core producer prices, which exclude the costs of food and energy, rose a modest 0.2%.

“The good news is that core PPI remains tame, but how long can that last for?” global foreign exchange strategist Andrew Busch with financial services firm BMO Capital Markets wrote in a note today. “At some point, U.S. businesses . . .

Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX), Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL) and Sigma Designs, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

HFF, Inc. (NYSE:HF), Community Shores Bank Corp. (Nasdaq:CSHB) and Cheniere Energy, Inc. (AMEX:LNG) are also among the top small-cap percentage losers.

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

Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), Sigma Designs, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM) and Dendreon Corp. (Nasdaq:DNDN) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Sierra Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and VCG Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:VCGH) are also among the most actively traded small-cap companies in pre-market trading.

Here are the most actively traded small-cap companies in Tuesday's pre-market trading:

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

Producer prices, the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output, rose 1.1% in March, the U.S. Labor Department reported this morning. Economists were expecting a more modest increase of 0.6%.

In other bullish economic news, the New York Federal Reserve announced this morning that its manufacturing survey showed an increase in April, defying expectations of a decline.

The Russell 2000 edged lower Monday, stalling in the morning just below the 20-day moving average, and by the close losing 2.09, or 0.30%, to 686.07. The market is fast approaching important support along the 681 zone. Below there, the next support comes in at 672 and 666. On the upside, resistance is pegged today at 695, then at 704.

The economic calendar is quiet the rest of the day, allowing traders to focus on earnings news and other events.

Shares of Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL) are getting pummeled in pre-market trading after the provider of wireless broadband access products lowered revenue guidance and reduced earnings to below the consensus on Wall Street after Monday’s close.

The company attributed the shortfall to a delayed launch of its MC930D with a major European carrier customer and lower-than-expected sales of its enterprise-class MC727 USB products to a major customer.

Shares crumbled 18.6%, or $1.86, to $8.15 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Novatel Wireless, click NVTL.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) lost more than the other major U.S. indices as news of disappointing economic reports spread recession fears. The small-cap index declined 13.74 points, or 1.94%, to 696.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) fell 142.96 points, or 1.15%, to 12,284.30.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 9.11%, while the Dow is down 7.39% and the S&P 500 has retreated 8.57%.

Small-cap stocks erased early gains and declined sharply as investors focused on news of a weak economy.

The U.S. Labor Department reported that jobless claims for the week ended Feb. 16 fell 9,000 to 349,000 from the preceding week’s upwardly revised total of 358,000.

Economists were expecting a rise to 349,000 from an originally reported 348,000.

However, the more stable four-week measure increased 10,750 to 360,500, the highest average in more than two years.

“The jobless claims number is consistent with a softening labor market,” said Arun Raha, vice president of Economic Research and Consulting for the North American operations of reinsurance company Swiss Re, in an email. “Firms have moved from not hiring to laying off workers.”

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is posting gains following upbeat news from the technology sector.

At 10:11 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had advanced 5.02 points, or 0.71%, to 715.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 22.14 points, or 0.18%, to 12,449.40.

Small-cap stocks got off to a bullish start on news that networking products maker and tech sector heavyweight Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) was upgraded to “buy” from “hold” by Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C).

In economic news, the U.S. Labor Department reported that jobless claims for the week ended Feb. 16 fell 9,000 to 349,000 from the preceding week’s upwardly revised total of 358,000.

Economists were expecting a rise to 349,000 from an originally reported 348,000.

However, the more stable four-week measure increased 10,750 to 360,500, the highest average in more than two years.

Shares of casino and gaming companies are the top gainers this morning. Among them are small-caps Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: DDE) and Chester, W.Va.-based MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTG).

Elsewhere, wireless broadband access solutions provider Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL) is seeing its stock drop more than 20% on news that its fourth-quarter profit soared to $0.34 per share, compared with $0.09 per share a year earlier.

On the flip side, Valassis Communications, Inc. (NYSE: VCI), which offers marketing services to consumer packaged goods manufacturers, is higher on news of a rise in fourth-quarter profit.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are higher and the small-cap index will probably open with a gain.

The bulls are poised for action on news that networking products maker and tech sector heavyweight Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) received an analyst upgrade.

In economic news, the U.S. Labor Department reported that jobless claims for the week ended Feb. 16 fell 9,000 to 349,000 from the preceding week’s upwardly revised total of 358,000.

Economists were expecting a rise to 349,000 from an originally reported 348,000.

The Russell 2000 posted an impressive recovery rally off the morning slide Wednesday, notching a bullish reversal on daily chart patterns in the process. The index finished up 7.68, or 1.09% at 710.02. If the market can sustain upward momentum today, resistance comes in just overhead at 712, then at 721 and 731. Meanwhile, support is at 695, 688 and 680.

It will be interesting to see if the market can once again rise after morning economic data, as traders will have to navigate Leading Indicators and Philly Fed releases at 10:00 a.m. ET.  

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) fell for the second consecutive day as economic reports and poor earnings made investors bearish. The small-cap index lost 10.87 points, or 1.39%, to 771.60. The Dow shed 120.96 points, or 0.91%, to 13,110.05.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has retreated 2.01%, while the Dow has risen 5.09% and the S&P 500 has added 2.44%.

The U.S. economy came into focus today when the Labor Department announced before the start of trading that its consumer price index increased 0.3% in October. The result was expected by economists and follows a similar rise in September.

Core prices, which exclude the volatile costs of food and energy, added 0.2%, the same as in September.

“Despite rising energy prices, inflation appears restrained,” said Arun Raha, vice president of Economic Research and Consulting for the North American operations of reinsurance company Swiss Re, in an email. “Looking ahead, there are two opposing forces at work with respect to inflation—on one hand we have high oil prices that can feed through to the core, and on the other we have weakening economic activity that softens prices.”

Consumer prices have advanced 3.5% on a year-over-year basis, while core prices have increased 2.2%. The U.S. Federal Reserve has said that it prefers core prices to stay in the range between 1% and 2%.

“The Fed needs to continue keeping a close watch on the situation,” Raha concluded.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is in negative territory on news of somewhat bearish economic reports and poor earnings from major corporations.

At 10:18 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was down 4.73 points, or 0.60%, to 777.74. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had lost 4.80 points, or 0.04%, to 13,226.21.

Consumer prices added 0.3% in October, according to the U.S. Labor Department before the start of trading. The result was expected by economists and mirrors September’s price increase.

Core prices, which exclude the volatile costs of food and energy, added 0.2%, the same rise as in September.

The numbers tell us that inflation remains broadly in check, despite the recent spike in the price of oil and higher energy costs.

However, consumer prices have added 3.5% on a year-over-year basis, while core prices have increased 2.2%. The U.S. Federal Reserve has said that it prefers core prices to stay in the range between 1% and 2%.

In other economic news, the labor market unexpectedly softened for the week ended Nov. 10.

In a separate report the Labor Department said that weekly jobless claims climbed 20,000 to 339,000, the highest level since April. Economists were expecting a much smaller rise of 3,000 from an upwardly revised level of 319,000 the previous week.

Elsewhere, shares of J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) are trading in the red following news that the department store narrowed its third-quarter income and lowered its fourth-quarter outlook.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) posted a major loss today following news of a record loss at automaker General Motors and more credit fears. The small-cap index fell 25.81 points, or 3.22%, to 775.96. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was down 360.92 points, or 2.64%, to 13,300.02.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has fallen 1.46%, while the Dow has added 6.62% and the S&P 500 has gained 4.17%.

The bearish tone was set before the start of trading, when General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) announced a stunning third-quarter net loss of $39 billion, or $68.85 per share, compared with a loss of $147 million, or $0.26 per share a year earlier. The Detroit-based automaker explained that its record loss was due to a one-time charge against deferred tax assets.

The small-cap futures were pointing down, and the Russell 2000 and the other major U.S. indices began the day in negative territory, with the sell-off picking up steam during the session.

Investors largely disregarded positive economic news, which came in the form of a surprise jump in productivity. The U.S. Labor Department announced that third-quarter productivity increased 4.9%, the fastest rate of growth in the last four years. Economists were expecting an increase of 2.5% following a downwardly revised rise of 2.2% in the second quarter.

The same report showed that unit labor costs, which are a key measure of inflation, declined 0.2% in the second quarter. That also defied economists, who were forecasting a rise of 0.8%.

Overall, manufacturing activity increased 4.6% in the third quarter, compared with a growth of 2.4% in the second quarter. Manufacturing is about 15% of the U.S. economy.

But Wall Street did not seem impressed.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) recovered from early losses and posted solid gains as a jump in the price of oil lifted energy stocks. The small-cap index added 11.34 points, or 1.43%, to 801.77. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) advanced 117.54 points, or 0.87%, to 13,660.94.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has increased 1.82%, while the Dow has added 9.51% and the S&P 500 has gained 7.32%.

The price of oil jumped $3.01 to $96.99 a barrel today on news the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasted that world oil demand growth in the next two quarters will be higher than it previously estimated and a shutdown in production in the North Sea due to expectations of stormy weather.

That led to a rise in shares of energy companies, helping to lift sagging stocks.

Futures were pointing up this morning on news that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) has hired an expert to manage its $43 billion subprime mortgage portfolio and a raised price target for Internet giant Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG).

The indices opened with a rise, but the bulls lost their footing following news that Redbook Research, a publisher of statistics on the U.S. retail market, reported a 0.4% drop in U.S. chain store sales in the final week of October. With consumption comprising about 70% of gross domestic product, a slowdown could spell trouble for the economy.

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTA), Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMRI) and Jaclyn, Inc. (AMEX: JLN)  are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

Even in today’s world of ubiquitous mobile communications, it may be hard to comprehend the magnitude of the wireless industry. During the second quarter of 2007 alone, some 270.9 million mobile phones were sold around the world, according to recent data from Gartner Inc. Today, there are about 2.88 billion mobile subscribers worldwide.

Those phones are becoming more and more advanced. Consumers are increasingly purchasing phones based on third generation, or 3G technology, which, in addition to enabling voice communications, offers ways to swiftly send text, images, and video.

Today there are about 470 million 3G mobile subscribers in the world, representing only a small fraction of total mobile phone users. But the 3G user base is growing rapidly.

Apple Inc.’s (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone, which looks more like a tiny television than a telephone, illustrates the trend well. One reason the $600 phone, er $400 phone is so popular is because of its video and other rich-media capabilities.

Other mobile device makers and PC makers are moving in the same direction, adding more functions to their wireless products so that people can not just carry a conversation but accomplish some serious work – or play – remotely.

The trend is reflected in stock values. In the wireless sector there is one, and depending on what date you use to make the comparison, maybe two stocks that have doubled in the past year. Both companies, which make wireless cards and modems to enable 3G mobile communications, are rapidly growing their revenues and signing up new customers.

Sounds good for new investors, yes? Well, maybe not so much, at least as far as Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL) and Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq: SWIR) are currently concerned.

Shares of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (Nasdaq: PNCL) are lower despite news after Thursday’s close that the Memphis, Tenn.-based operator of Pinnacle Airlines and Colgan Air reported a 10.2% increase in customers for the month of May, compared with a year earlier.  Shares are down $0.41, or 2%, to $18.88.

Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AVNR) reported this morning that data from a Phase III clinical trial of the painkiller Zenvia shows the drug significantly eases the suffering of patients complaining of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain.

Shares of Hauppauge, N.Y.-based Hirsch International Corp. (Nasdaq: HRSH) are trading higher following news this morning that net income for the quarter ended March 31 nearly tripled.  The electronic embroidery machinery provider reported net income of $817,000, compared with $292,000 in the same period of 2006.  Analyst estimates were unavailable.  Shares are up $0.08, or 2.15%, to $3.80.

Shares of DivX Inc. (Nasdaq: DIVX) fell by $2.00, or 10%, to $18 on heavy volume in after-hours trading today after the San Diego, Calif.-based digital media company reported first-quarter earnings that came in below analysts’ estimates. For the three months ended March 31, DivX reported net income of $3.7 million, or $0.10 per share, on revenue of $20.2 million, compared with net income of $3.3 million, or $0.11 per share, on revenue of $14.1 million in the 2006 first quarter. Seven analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated earnings per share of $0.14 on revenue of $19.8 million. In just the first half-hour of extended-hours trading, more than 1.36 million shares had changed hands, compared with an average three-month daily volume of about 657,000 shares.

Shares of Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL) rose by $0.79, or 4.2%, to $19.50 on heavy volume late today after the wireless broadband access solutions provider raised its 2007 non-GAAP earnings guidance by more than 50% to $1.00 to $1.05 per share. Twelve analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings per share of $0.64 on revenue of $365.9 million. For the first quarter ended March 31, San Diego-based Novatel reported non-GAAP net income of $12.1 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, on revenue of $110 million. Analysts had estimated earnings per share of $0.28 on revenue of $98.3 million.