Tag - Pery

Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), Reddy Ice Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:FRZ) and LCA Vision Inc. (Nasdaq:LCAV) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Alaska Air Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ALK), Sangamo Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq:SGMO), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), SmartHeat Inc. (Nasdaq:HEAT), Media General Inc. (Nasdaq:MEG) and Aristotle Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTL).

Energy Services of America Corp. (Nasdaq:ESA), Hallwood Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HWG) and American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:AXL) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), United Community Bancorp (Nasdaq:UCBA), Builders FirstSource Inc. (Nasdaq:BLDR), Dana Corp. (Nasdaq:DAN), Primeenergy Corp. (Nasdaq:PNRG) and AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (Nasdaq:ANN).

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI), BTU International Inc. (Nasdaq:BTUI) and Washington Banking Co. (Nasdaq:WBCO) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Georgia Gulf Corp. (Nasdaq:GGC), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), A M Castle & Co. (Nasdaq:CAS), Timberland Co. (Nasdaq:TBL), Spartan Stores Inc. (Nasdaq:SPTN) and Epicor Software Corp. (Nasdaq:EPIC).

Exelixis Inc. (Nasdaq:EXEL), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY) and Brown Shoe Company Inc. (Nasdaq:BWS) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Diamond Foods Inc. (Nasdaq:DMND), Geokinetics Inc. (Nasdaq:GOK), Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:TYPE), Calavo Growers Inc. (Nasdaq:CVGW), John B  San Filippo & Son (Nasdaq:JBSS) and W&T Offshore Inc. (Nasdaq:WTI).

General Steel Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:GSI), Kronos Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:KRO) and Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq:AMED) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Victory Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq:VRY), Thompson Creek Metals Co Inc. (Nasdaq:TC), Meridian Bioscience Inc. (Nasdaq:VIVO), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), America Service Group Inc. (Nasdaq:ASGR) and TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:TSYS).

RC2 Corp. (Nasdaq:RCRC), Destination Maternity Corp. (Nasdaq:DEST) and AirTran Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:AAI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. (Nasdaq:PFCB), Temple-Inland Inc. (Nasdaq:TIN), GMX Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:GMXR), Diedrich Coffee Inc. (Nasdaq:DDRX), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY) and Andersons Inc. (Nasdaq:ANDE).

Crosstex Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:XTXI), Landec Corp. (Nasdaq:LNDC) and Atlas Pipeline Holdings L P (Nasdaq:AHD) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Petroleum Development Corp. (Nasdaq:PETD), American Capital Ltd. (Nasdaq:ACAS), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), Pyramid Oil Co. (Nasdaq:PDO), Ezcorp Inc (Nasdaq:EZPW) and WuXi PharmaTech Cayman Inc. (Nasdaq:WX).

Gibraltar Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:ROCK), MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. (Nasdaq:MWIV) and Integral System Inc..(Nasdaq:ISYS) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: General Maritime Corp. (Nasdaq:GMR), Knot Inc. (Nasdaq:KNOT), Capital Bank Corp. (Nasdaq:CBKN), Ducommun Inc. (Nasdaq:DCO), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY) and Badger Meter Inc. (Nasdaq:BMI).

Spartech Corp. (Nasdaq:SEH), Lacrosse Footwear Inc. (Nasdaq:BOOT) and Cabot Corp. (Nasdaq:CBT) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: SuccessFactors Inc. (Nasdaq:SFSF), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), Atlas Pipeline Partners LP (Nasdaq:APL), Lindsay Corp. (Nasdaq:LNN), Union Bankshares Inc. (Nasdaq:UNB) and SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq:SIVB).

Orient Express Hotels Ltd. (Nasdaq:OEH), Bridge Capital Holdings (Nasdaq:BBNK) and Obagi Medical Products Inc. (Nasdaq:OMPI) are among the new 52-week lows in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: I-Flow Corp. (Nasdaq:IFLO), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY), Stoneridge Inc. (Nasdaq:SRI), DealerTrack Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:TRAK), OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd. (Nasdaq:OB) and Pharmaxis Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:PXSL).

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

After opening higher on the session, small caps accelerated into the green as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke eased inflation concerns and oil deflated.

At 12:00 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 6.44, or 0.89%, at 731.69, while the Dow gained 156.82, or 1.37, to 11587.03.

Bernanke, speaking at a conference for central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on financial stability, said that recent declines in commodity prices and stabilization of the dollar were “encouraging,” and that although the inflation outlook is uncertain, the Federal Reserve will act as needed to maintain price stability. As Bernanke spoke the gains accelerated in the market.

Adding to the glee, oil has sold off $3.42 a barrel to roughly $117.76 midday, as OPEC announced that it would increase output though anxiety surrounding tensions between United States and Russia remain on the radar.

As oil has deflated, the greenback rallied against the euro and the yen after a sharp dip on Thursday.

In other positive trading catalysts, “The Oracle of Omaha,” Waren Buffett, said on CNBC that stocks are “more attractive” today than they were a year ago and that he currently does not have any bearish bets against the dollar. He also said that he has increased a stake in one of his financial firm investments

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. (Nasdaq:PSUN), Perry Ellis International Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY) and First M&F Corp. (Nasdaq:FMFC) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.           

Also included among the results: Marine Petroleum Trust (Nasdaq:MARPS), Noah Education Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:NED), Pyramid Oil Co. (Nasdaq:PDO), Temecula Valley Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:TMCV), Volcom Inc. (Nasdaq:VLCM) and Citizens & Northern Corp (Nasdaq:CZNC).           

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:   

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the open, buoyed by a slide in crude oil prices, a bounce in the U.S. dollar, and soothing comments from billionaire investor Warren Buffett. At 10:04 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 8.35, or 1.15%, at 733.60, holding on to gains after the first flash of headlines from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Bernanke, speaking on financial stability, said that recent declines in commodity prices and the stability of the dollar were encouraging, and that although the inflation outlook is uncertain, that the Federal Reserve will act as needed to maintain price stability.

Buffett, nicknamed “The Oracle of Omaha” said on CNBC ahead of the opening this morning that stocks were “more attractive” today than they were a year ago and that he does not have any current bearish dollar investments. Buffett’s comments provided a lift to stock index futures and to the dollar ahead of the regular market opening.

Crude oil prices were in retreat mode this morning, unable to extend the dramatic rally from Thursday’s action. Crude oil prices were down nearly $2 dollars a barrel, hovering just below $119, weighed down by OPEC output increases. However, the market is still cautious about tensions between the United States and Russia and closely watching storm patterns trekking through the Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. dollar was righting the ship today after a sudden freefall Thursday, which also pressured crude oil prices and a host of other commodity markets. The greenback was up some 1.2% against the yen and the pound sterling, and was up about 0.6% versus the euro. At this stage of the economic cycle a firm dollar is seen as a sign of optimism about the U.S. economy relative to other world economies, and . . .

Shares of Perry Ellis International, Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY) are losing ground after the retailer posted a wider-than-forecasted net loss for the second quarter. The company said a shift in revenue from the second quarter to the third quarter, bankruptcies of certain retail customers in the quarter and increased costs and reduced shipments related to the company’s move to third-party distribution from its facility in Winnsboro all converged to drag down results.

Shares slipped 13%, or $3.00, to $20.00 ahead of the opening bell. For detailed price information and news stories on Perry Ellis, click PERY.

Small-cap stocks pushed higher Thursday, snapping a string of four consecutive losing days as investors found relief from an intraday reversal in crude oil prices. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 5.90, or 0.81%, at 733.01.

“Today was all about reacting to crude oil. In fact, [Wednesday] was about crude oil and Friday is going to be about crude oil. When prices get this extreme at the gas pump, it really makes you wonder if we’re approaching the breaking point for the consumer. If they don’t have discretionary money to spend on things other than gas, then it’s going to have a negative rollover effect on everything else,” said Dominic Boyle, market strategist with Lind-Waldock, in a phone interview.

In order for equity markets to sustain the rally off the March lows, Boyle said, “we will have to get confirmation from crude” in the form of a top, or at least a dramatic slowdown in the escalation of energy prices. After a new record high overnight at $135 dollars a barrel, crude oil futures slipped back to about $131 during the U.S. trading session and left a little potential topping pattern by making new highs and closing lower.

As crude oil tilted off the highs today, the greenback chewed up some recent lost ground, rising about 0.6% against the euro and 1.2% versus the yen. In general, a strong dollar of late has been seen as a positive signal for equities, associated with investment flow into U.S. stocks, and potential unwinding of short dollar/long commodity trades.

In addition, some of today’s upbeat psychology may have been stoked by news of a big acquisition, with NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE:NRG) tendering a bid to purchase Calpine Corp. (NYSE:CPN) for a stock deal worth about $11 billion. If there are . . .

Perry Ellis International, Inc. (Nasdaq:PERY) CEO George Feldenkreis said the worst might be over for the apparel company, whose brands include Original Penguin, Jantzen, Laundry by Shelli Segal and Gotcha. Feldenkreis made the comments during a morning conference call.

“The stimulus package is starting to hit consumers and other measures being passed by Congress like the mortgage bill and at some point, the farm bill, should help the economy by the end of this year and into 2009,” Feldenkreis said.

In an announcement released after Wednesday’s closing bell, Perry Ellis reaffirmed its 2008 earnings guidance of a range of $1.95 to $2.00 per share on revenue of between $910 million and $925 million. Wall Street expects a 2008 profit of $1.99 per share on revenue of $922.3 million.

“We continue to be very focused on achieving the revenue goals that we have set for ourselves and because of this, I am happy to confirm that we are maintaining our guidance,” Feldenkreis said.

However, textile price increases and an increase in the value of the Chinese currency could threaten Perry Ellis’ profits, the chief executive said. In response, the Miami-based company began reducing its Chinese purchases in late 2006 and early 2007. The company has also opened new offices in Bangladesh and Jordan.

Feldenkreis said the firm’s financial position is “extremely strong” and the company is “very excited” about growth opportunities in the near future. An analyst asked Feldenkreis if the strong financial position will translate to near-term acquisitions.

“We are always looking for acquisitions. We were out of the game during 2006 and 2007 because of prices that were being paid, but we continue to look at opportunities to grow our company,” Feldenkreis said. “The last two acquisitions seem to be big growth opportunities. If we can finance it and it is valued at the right price, we will continue to acquire whatever opportunities we have at the right price. The acquisition would have to be accretive in the relatively short term.”

Small-cap stocks opened flat, rose higher in morning trading, and have settled down in midday action. Investors were encouraged by easing crude oil and NRG Energy’s (NYSE:NRG) $11.3 billion offer to buy power generation company Calpine Corp. (NYSE:CPN). At 12:21 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 6.71, or 0.92%, at 733.82.

News that NRG Energy tendered a bid to buy Calpine Corp. for a stock deal worth $11 billion injected some enthusiasm back into the M&A picture, and played a supportive role in market psychology. Calpine shares were up 7.07% in midday trading.

Large caps in the news early today include Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), which tumbled 1.36% on news that its anti-smoking drug had serious side effects. Also, NetApp Inc. (Nasdaq:NTAP) tumbled about 6% as the company’s forward projections disappointed.
Among broad market sectors, apparel retailers, fabricated plastics and rubbers, catalog and mail order retailers and trucking companies were on the upside. Sectors attracting sellers include water transportation, oil well services and equipment, . . .

Santander Bancorp (Nasdaq:SBP), Vivus Inc (Nasdaq:VVUS) and Perry Ellis International Inc (Nasdaq:PERY) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Yucheng Technologies Ltd (Nasdaq:YTEC), Citi Trends Inc (Nasdaq:CTRN) and Isramco Inc (Nasdaq:ISRL) are also among the biggest percentage gainers.

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) and the Dow are jumping on expectations of a rate cut and news that major investment banks beat quarterly profit expectations.

At 10:08 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had climbed 16.01 points, or 2.46%, to 666.49. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 238.70 points, or 1.99%, to 12,210.95.

The bulls are roaring and stocks small and large are flying high following news before the opening that fiscal first-quarter profit at investment banking giant The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) fell 53% but beat Wall Street’s projections. Similarly, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LEH) also beat expectations despite a decline in profit.

That’s good news for investors, who were looking to see if investment banks will be able to weather the financial turmoil, particularly after Bear Stearns’ (NYSE:BSC) spectacular demise.

Helping the bulls establish their dominance is anticipation that the U.S. Federal Reserve will lower its target federal funds rate at its regularly scheduled policy meeting. The market is pricing a full 1% cut in the federal funds rate, dropping it to 2% from the current 3%. A decision will be announced at about 2:10 p.m. ET.

The federal funds rate is the rate at which commercial banks make overnight loans to each other.

Perry Ellis International (Nasdaq: PERY) said this morning that it has acquired C&C California and Laundry brands from Liz Claiborne Inc. for $37 million and anticipates the brands will contribute an additional $60 million in revenue by 2009.

“These acquisitions, which advance Perry Ellis International’s growth strategy with two strong brands, with a very young following,” said George Feldenkreis, chief executive officer of Perry Ellis. "The addition of C&C California and Laundry will allow us to aggressively pursue women’s apparel in the contemporary segment, which is the fastest growing one of the women’s market today. With this acquisition, we increase our long-term growth potential.”

The fashion label says it thinks revenues from its two new contemporary brands should increase at a double digit annual rate over the next five years. The acquisition is said to have no impact on fiscal 2008, but that accretion in the range of $0.08 to $0.10 is expected in fiscal 2009.

The company said it expects to close the acquisition by Feb. 4.

Shares of Perry Ellis (PERY) were halted in pre-market trading.

Perry Ellis International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PERY) COO Oscar Feldenkreis said despite lowered guidance, the clothing maker expects a “solid” fourth quarter. Feldenkreis made the comments during a midday conference call.

“We are convinced that our strategy and business platforms will keep producing strong results,” Feldenkreis said. “We are bullish about our prospects for a phenomenal fiscal 2009 and remain confident that the investments that we are making this year will allow us to keep outpacing the industry’s overall growth rate.”

Citing warm fall weather, high fuel prices and a Christmas season expected to be weaker than normal, Perry Ellis lowered its fiscal 2008 earnings guidance 5% to a range of $1.78 to $1.82, from a previous range of $1.87 to $1.91. Fiscal 2008 revenue is expected to be in the range of $870 million to $880 million, from a previously projected range of $900 million to $910 million.

“We have taken a conservative approach in reducing our revenue projection because some of our bottom replenishment programs have been projected down by retailer’s concern about a slowdown and the possibility of a more promotional Christmas season,” CEO George Feldenkreis said.

Before the opening bell, Perry Ellis posted third-quarter revenue of $227.5 million, on par with analyst expectations of $227.8 million and up 7% from $213.2 million a year earlier. The firm’s quarterly net income grew to $8.5 million, or $0.55 per share, slightly beating Wall Street projections of $0.54 per share and compared with $8.2 million, or $0.53 per share, during the year-ago period.

“As diversified as our portfolio is, we are not immune to the deterioration of the current macroeconomic environment and the consequences of unusually warm fall weather to the entire apparel industry,” the chief operating officer said. “We are taking all necessary steps to minimize the impacts. As such, we believe it is prudent to take a conservative approach when planning this business for the remainder of the year.”

While still three months away, this week unofficially marks the start of the holiday retail season. With estimates that the consumer represents two-thirds of economic spending, one should not be surprised to find economists and pundits focused intently on consumer spending over the coming quarter.

The bulls will point to the tremendous resilience of the American consumer, while the bears will question the negative impact of housing trouble and credit turmoil. In either event, several leading newsletter advisors are focused on individual retailing firms that they believe offer value to investors.

Richard Moroney "suits up" with JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. (Nasdaq: JOSB), a retailer of men's apparel. The editor of Upside Stocks notes that the company reported July-quarter profits per share of $0.44, up 16% and $0.02 above the consensus estimate. Earnings, he notes, benefited from higher interest income.

According to Moroney, "Overall revenue rose 13%, spurred by double-digit increases in all major categories, particularly suits." The advisor points out that same-store sales rose 2.5%, helped by increased transaction volumes.

The company, he says, opened six new stores during the quarter, ending July with 391 locations. And, Moroney adds, management plans to open 50 stores in fiscal 2008 ending in January and now targets a total store count of about 600, up from prior guidance of 500.

Moroney considers the stock—which has a market cap of $644 million—modestly valued at just 13 times trailing earnings. He rates the issue a buy.

Another small cap retail on the upside “buy” list is G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIII), which designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of outerwear, sportswear, and women's suits and dresses. The stock has a market cap of $341 million.

Cardica, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDC), POZEN Inc. (Nasdaq: POZN) and China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: CSUN) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million:

Shares of Perry Ellis International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PERY) are flat despite news after Monday’s close that the apparel maker swung to a second-quarter profit and raised its fiscal 2008 guidance.

Net income for the three months ended July 31 was $0.27 million, or $0.02 per share, compared with a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.17 per share, during the same period of 2006. That result surprised three analysts polled by Thomson Financial, who were expecting the Miami-based company to report a net loss of $0.14 per share.

Similarly, total revenues grew 14.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to $195.3 million, compared with $171.0 million a year earlier.

Atlanta-based Web.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: WWWW), a website hosting company, reported it is being acquired by Website Pros Inc. (Nasdaq: WSPI) for about $129 million in a cash and stock deal.

Spectrum Control, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPEC), a maker of electronic components for communications and aerospace equipment, said after Tuesday’s closing bell it expects third-quarter earnings per share to be up more than 57%.

Morgan Keegan upgraded home products retailer Cost Plus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPWM) to “market perform” from “underperform.”

Shares in Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: PLA) are up after the entertainment company announced it is opening a 40,000-foot club in Macau in 2009 as part of a plan to expand into China.

These are the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million:

These are the biggest percentage losers among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million: