Tag - Ppo

MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:MAPP), Geokinetics Inc. (Nasdaq:GOK) and Duckwall Alco Stores Inc. (Nasdaq:DUCK) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Ocean Power Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:OPTT), Polypore International Inc. (Nasdaq:PPO), Federal Mogul Corp. (Nasdaq:FDML) and Greene County Bancorp (Nasdaq:GCBC).

Polypore International Inc. (Nasdaq:PPO), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT) and USANA Health Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:USNA) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: GrafTech International Ltd. (Nasdaq:GTI), Atlas America Inc. (Nasdaq:ATLS), Bronco Drilling Co Inc. (Nasdaq:BRNC), 3D Systems Corp. (Nasdaq:TDSC), Unifirst Corp. (Nasdaq:UNF) and TNS Inc. (Nasdaq:TNS).

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) pushed higher Friday, fighting back from a midday slide into the red as commodity stocks, homebuilders and airline stocks offset another rough day for banks. Some of today’s small-cap gainers were Aercap Holdings (NYSE:AER), US Airways Group (Nasdaq:NYSE:LCC) and Polypore International (NYSE:PPO).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Ahead of the open, the consumer price index came out at minus 0.7%, which was slightly below the forecast of minus 0.9%.
• The Michigan sentiment survey was reported at 61.9%, which was better than the forecast of 59.0. 
• Crude oil prices climbed 3.1% today, adding $1.11 a barrel to $36.51, which likely helped stabilize energy and other commodity markets.
• The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund was up 0.8%. 
• A slide in the U.S. dollar today likely helped support various commodity markets and provide a cushion for commodity-tied stocks.
• Within the commodities realm, oil refiners and gas utilities were strong performers today.
• In the physical market, corn prices shot up 6% amid worries about a drought in Argentina, which competes with U.S. farmers on the global market.
• Airline stocks in general were solid performers today, with the AMEX Airline Index up 4.6%. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Aercap Holdings NV soared 22% to the highest daily close since early November. See (NYSE:AER).
• Small-cap carrier US Airways Group Inc. climbed 13% a day after the emergency crash landing in New York’s Hudson River was pulled off without . . .

Small-cap stocks pushed higher Friday, fighting back from a midday slide into the red as commodity stocks, homebuilders and airline stocks offset another rough day for banks. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 3.82, or 0.83%, at 466.45, but still lost 3.1% for the week. For the year, small caps are off 6.6%, while the Dow is down 5.6% and the S&P 500 is down 5.9%.

Banks have been the dominant focal point for investors this week, and it has been a brutal period for some of the world’s most prominent financial firms. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) tumbled 48% for the week and Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC) shed 45% while posting its first quarterly loss in 17 years and the lowest daily close in more than a decade. Even news overnight that the government was extending another $20 billion of direct injection into BAC and guaranteeing $118 billion of assets couldn’t stem the selling tide today; BAC lost another 13.7%.

We’re only a little more than halfway through the month of January, but according to the S&P sector groups the biggest three losers are diversified financial services firms (down 38%); diversified banks (down 35%) and regional banks (down 27%). There is a segment of the investment community that doesn’t believe the market will go higher without leadership from the financial sector – if they are right, then the New Year is off to a troubling start indeed.

Even though it has been a dour start for banks this year, it’s interesting to note that call activity for Citigroup is starting to pick up steam, suggesting that investors are trying to take a shot at bargain hunting for the embattled firm. This afternoon, Bill Gross, leader of the world’s largest bond fund at PIMCO, said that the . . .

Stream Global Services Inc. (Nasdaq:OOO), Maidenform Brands Inc. (Nasdaq:MFB) and Presidential Life Corp. (Nasdaq:PLFE) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Oxford Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:OXM), Elbit Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq:EMITF), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON), Nanosphere Inc. (Nasdaq:NSPH), Polypore International Inc. (Nasdaq:PPO) and KBW Inc. (Nasdaq:KBW).

DryShips Inc (Nasdaq:DRYS), Hallwood Group Inc (Nasdaq:HWG) and TBS International Ltd (Nasdaq:TBSI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Polypore International Inc (Nasdaq:PPO), James River Coal Co (Nasdaq:JRCC), Gencor Industries Inc (Nasdaq:GENC), Textainer Group Holdings Ltd (Nasdaq:TGH), 012 Smile Communications Ltd (Nasdaq:SMLC) and Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd (Nasdaq:GNK).

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening, lifted by a rally in overseas markets, weekend talk of a huge infrastructure stimulus plan from President-elect Obama and a bounce in commodity stocks.  Some of today's small-cap gainers included Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. (NYSE:CBI), Polypore International Inc. (NYSE:PPO) and Clean Energy (Nasdaq:CLNE).

Other Market Watch highlights included:

• A big part of the early rise in stocks was tied to news this weekend that Obama was planning a massive infrastructure stimulus project.  
• The Mexican peso, South African rand were both in rally mode, as money flow into emerging markets and commodity exporters was in vogue.  
• Some of the support in commodities was tied to a slide in the U.S. dollar, which was down 1.2% against the euro.  
• Crude oil prices were up $2.70/barrel into the open, trying to mount a bounce after hitting 4-year lows Friday, falling 25% last week.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Getting a lift from the infrastructure talk and the announcement of dividends, Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V. rose 17%. See (NYSE:CBI).  
• Polypore International Inc. jumped 17%, climbing above the 20-day moving average with conviction for the first time since late August. See (NYSE:PPO).  
• Clean Energy opens large-scale LNG production plant; stock is 13.7% higher in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:CLNE). 
• Canadian Solar up 13% in pre-market, buoyed by President-elect Obama's plans to ramp up infrastructure spending. See (Nasdaq:CSIQ).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Allos Therapeutics slumping 21% in pre-market, reports Propel trial results. See (Nasdaq:ALTH). 
• The Talbots announces CFO retires, hires a new COO. Shares fall over 12%. See (NYSE:TLB).
• Blyth cuts earnings outlook, down 4% in light after-hours trade. See (NYSE:BTH).  
• ESI, Zygo report early termination of HSR waiting period for planned merger; shares of ESIO fall 3.3% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:ESIO).  

Small-cap stocks pushed higher on the opening, lifted by a rally in overseas markets, weekend talk of a huge infrastructure stimulus plan from President-elect Obama and a bounce in commodity stocks. At 9:57 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 10.19, or 2.21%, at 471.28.

Crude oil prices were up about $2.70 a barrel into the stock market open, trying to mount a bounce after hitting four-year lows Friday and tumbling some 25% last week while generating the largest percentage decline in some 18 years. Copper prices also were higher overseas, and soft commodities like sugar and cocoa were soaring in early U.S. trading.

Some of the support in commodities was tied to a slide in the U.S. dollar, which was down 1.2% against the euro. The dollar was up 0.4% against the yen, but that was more of a reflection of a riskier mentality in play after last week’s big stock market bounce off the bearish jobs picture (the low-yielding yen tends to find support in safe-haven times). So, just where is the FX flow moving today? The Mexican peso and South African rand were both in rally mode today, as money flow into emerging markets and commodity exporters was in vogue.

A big part of the early rise in stocks was tied to news this weekend that Obama was planning a massive infrastructure stimulus project, which sparked a rise in engineering and commodity stocks in Asia and Europe that rode the tide into U.S. action this morning. Obama also said that U.S. automakers should not be allowed to fail, and the Senate is meeting today to discuss bailout packages for U.S. vehicle firms. Shortly after the open, General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) was up 19.1%, while Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) was up 15.4%.

Despite the feel-good tone present in the glow of Friday’s triumphant stock market rally despite dreary employment data, there were spots of worrisome news in play. Dow Chemical Co. (NYSE:DOW) announced plans to close 20 plants . . .

Small caps closed up about 2% today, outperforming the Dow for the day yet still lagging the big-cap index for 2008, with the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) off 41%, the Dow down 35% and the S&P 500 down 41%. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are QC Holdings (Nasdaq:QCCO), Polypore International (NYSE:PPO) and Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The ADP headline figure suggested the nation lost 250,000 payroll jobs in November, which was below the forecast for a decline of 200,000.
• The ISM Non-Manufacturing Survey came out at 10:00 a.m. ET, with the headline figure at 37.3%, which was way below the forecast of 42.8%.
• The ability to rally after a bad reading on the ADP Employment Survey ahead of Friday’s big monthly employment report was a positive sign. 
• Yields on Treasury products were higher as demand clearly was more focused on riskier fare today.
• The weekly MBA Mortgage Application index jumped 112% today to the highest level since mid-February, encouraging the rally.
• The ISE Homebuilders Index jumped 10% and small-cap homebuilders were among the best performers in the group.
• Crude slipped $0.17 a barrel to $46.79 and notched 3-1/2-year lows during the U.S. trading session despite a drop in inventory levels.
• Banks, brokerages and other financial firms were clearly a source of strength for stocks today.
• Energy stocks were a drag on stocks for most of the day, and the Energy Select Sector SPDR was basically flat right before the close. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• QC Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:QCCO) jumped 54% on a volume spike without any apparent fresh news from the payday loan firm.
• Polypore International Inc. (NYSE:PPO) jumped 31% as the lithium-ion battery company announced that one of their subsidiaries received a $2.3 million contract.
• Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN) closed up about 26% . . .

Small-cap stocks pushed higher Wednesday, overcoming a glut of gloomy economic reports as investors snapped up bargains on homebuilder, financial and retailer shares. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 11.93, or 2.70%, at 453.76. Small caps outperformed the Dow for the day, but still lag the big-cap index for 2008, with the Russell off 41% for the year, while the Dow is down 35%. The S&P 500 is off 41%.

The fact that small caps finished off the day with a positive print is a minor victory for a downtrodden market. Early on today investors were greeted with a larger-than-expected decline on payroll jobs from the ADP Employment Survey and then hit with an unnerving drop in services sector activity in the ISM Non-Manufacturing Survey. The weak economic reports took a toll on prices early, as some traders fretted about Friday’s upcoming employment release.

However, the market rallied into midday trading as a rush for homebuilder stocks paced the comeback move. It should be noted as well that not all of today’s economic numbers were downbeat. In fact, the weekly MBA Mortgage Application index jumped 112% to the highest level since mid-February, sparking some hope that sinking mortgage rates will generate fresh activity in the housing arena.

“The mortgage purchase and refinance data are seen as friendly, and Radian said that October mortgage claims were less than expected,” Nick Kalivas, vice president of financial research with MF Global, said in an email interview. “The idea of cheap gasoline and the potential for refinance activity is helping to stoke interest in homebuilders and retailers. Finally, we’re seeing signs of something that could spark a rally and defaults could ease if people can refinance and pay less for gasoline.”

Speaking of gasoline, crude oil prices slipped $0.17 a barrel to $46.79 and notched 3-1/2-year lows during the U.S. trading session despite a drop in inventory levels. Energy stocks were a drag on stocks for most of the day, and the . . .

Intersections Inc (Nasdaq:INTX), QC Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:QCCO) and Polypore International Inc (Nasdaq:PPO) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: CPI International Inc (Nasdaq:CPII), Grey Wolf Inc (Nasdaq:GW), America's Car-Mart Inc (Nasdaq:CRMT), Vitran Corp Inc (Nasdaq:VTNC), Insulet Corp (Nasdaq:PODD) and Kimball International Inc (Nasdaq:KBALB).

Small-cap stocks pushed higher Thursday, benefiting from money flow out of debt instruments and into equities amid hopes that credit markets are on the cusp of a recovery stirred by global rate cuts. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 23.30, or 4.75%, at 514.18, and is now down 33% for the year. The Dow is off 31% for 2008 and the S&P 500 is down 35%. This marked the third consecutive higher close for the Russell 2000, which has not happened since Sept. 12, or before the entire collapse took place. Looking ahead to Friday, the market hasn’t closed higher four consecutive trading sessions since May 30. The fact that small caps aggressively paced today’s rally reflected a more open investor stance on risk, as small caps were pummeled relative to the Dow on the way down in recent weeks.

Investors appeared to gather confidence when this morning’s GDP report came in a tad better than expected, which sparked a renewed appetite for riskier investment fare. The GDP headline figure came in at minus 0.3%, slightly better than the forecast for a slide of 0.5%. Still, this marked the steepest contraction in seven years and reflected the first quarterly decline in consumer spending since 1991. What’s more, economists are unanimously calling for things to get quite a bit worse in the fourth quarter.

However, news that the economy is struggling isn’t exactly fresh news, and investors appeared more confident that the worst of the picture is already priced into the recent collapse. Outside of a wild late slide Wednesday afternoon, intraday stock market gyrations have been a little less frantic and bewildering, and the movements seem a little more orderly, which could also help restore some confidence . . .

Polypore International Inc. (Nasdaq:PPO), OSI Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OSIS) and Pathfinder Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:PBHC) are among the new 52-week lows in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq:BBBB), Sauer Danfoss Inc. (Nasdaq:SHS), ENPRO Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:NPO), Cinemark Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:CNK), Vocus Inc. (Nasdaq:VOCS) and Triple S Management Corp. (Nasdaq:GTS).

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

Polypore International Inc. (Nasdaq:PPO), Iris International Inc. (Nasdaq:IRIS) and Sauer Danfoss Inc. (Nasdaq:SHS) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: OSI Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OSIS), Natus Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:BABY), RGC Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:RGCO), VNUS Medical Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:VNUS), Littelfuse Inc. (Nasdaq:LFUS) and Protective Life Corp. (Nasdaq:PL).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small caps continue to trade in the green midday, though off their highs of the session, after GDP was not as bad as feared. Today’s small-cap gainers are Horizon Lines (NYSE:HRZ), First Industrial Realty Trust (NYSE:FR) and Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Advancers were leading decliners by nearly 6 to 1 on the Russell 2000 after the first hour of trading.  
• Norway also joined in on the rate cut fervor as countries around the world toss cheap money at businesses in a drive to thaw frozen credit lines.  
• Hong Kong shot up some 10% and Taiwan was up 6%, as those countries announced rate cuts following the Fed’s rate cut Thursday.  
• Stock markets around the world were in rally mode overnight, with the world stock index up 2.5%, powered by steep gains in some Asian markets.
• Crude oil futures trimmed overnight gains and were hovering near steady levels on the stock market opening.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Shares of shipping company Horizon Lines are up 51%. Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock on Monday to "sell" from "neutral." See (NYSE:HRZ).  
• Shares of First Industrial Realty Trust are up 27% as it reports Q3 profit drop and cuts dividend. See (NYSE:FR).  
• Sonic Automotive shares up 24% as it reports losses in Q3. See (NYSE:SAH).  
• Auto parts supplier Tenneco to cut 1,100 jobs as global auto sales slide. Shares are up 20%. See (NYSE:TEN).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Sauer-Danfoss misses on Q3 earnings, issues cautious outlook. See (NYSE:SHS). 
• Brocade and Foundry Networks to amend merger terms: Foundry's shareholders to receive $16.50 in cash for each share. See (Nasdaq:FDRY).
• Astronics posts decline in bottom-line on higher engineering, development spending, higher manufacturing costs. (Nasdaq:ATRO).  
• Polypore International beats on Q3 results, guides full year revenues below the Street, EPS straddle consensus. See (NYSE:PPO).  

Small caps continue to trade in the green midday, though off their highs of the session, after GDP was not as bad as feared. At 12:12 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 6.35, or 1.29% at 497.24.

Stocks are higher after a rally on Wednesday fizzled in the last minutes of trading. Trading kicked off on a positive note this morning after overseas markets rallied on the Fed rate cut and after today’s GDP report. GDP, a measure of all products and services produced in the U.S., slipped into negative territory, clocking in at minus 0.3%. The reading marked the steepest contraction in seven years and is consistent with recession readings. Despite the gloomy economic implications of the report, GDP wasn’t as bad as feared, as economists forecasted a dip of 0.5% in economic activity.

In other economic news, weekly claims figures came out and were slightly above the forecast, coming in at 479,000 versus expectations for 475,000.

“Economic activity contracted mildly in Q3 with large gains in net exports, inventory investment, and government spending being more than offset by significant weakness in consumer spending, residential investment, and business investment,” Steven Wood, chief economist with Insight Economics, said in an email. “Economic activity was also dampened in September by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and by the strike at Boeing. However, the full effect of the credit crunch has yet to be felt. While the economy slipped in Q3 it will fall much more sharply in Q4. Our early estimate for Q4 is a decline of 3.5%.”

Consumer spending tumbled 3.1% in the third quarter, marking the first decline in 17 years. This report is yet another piece of economic data that points towards a consumer led recession. The consumer is the growth engine of the economy, as it accounts for two-thirds of economic growth; and with a soft consumer any hopes for economic recovery are short winded.  ...

Small-cap stocks stormed out of the gate with a flourish this morning, as buyers were enamored with yet another rally in overseas markets and happy that a sobering GDP report in the United States wasn’t even worse. Today’s small-cap gainers are LHC Group (Nasdaq:LHCG), Freightcar (Nasdaq:RAIL) and BioMimetic Therapeutics (Nasdaq:BMTI).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Norway also joined in on the rate cut fervor as countries around the world toss cheap money at businesses in a drive to thaw frozen credit lines.  
• Hong Kong shot up some 10% and Taiwan was up 6%, as those countries announced rate cuts following the Fed’s rate cut Thursday.  
• Stock markets around the world were in rally mode overnight, with the world stock index up 2.5%, powered by steep gains in some Asian markets.
• Crude oil futures trimmed overnight gains and were hovering near steady levels on the stock market opening.  
• The energy sector should be a focal point today following Exxon Mobil Corp.’s quarterly earnings figure, which topped the forecast.

Small Cap Gainers:

• LHC Group shares jumped 29% as the home nursing services provider reported a quarterly increase in revenue. See (Nasdaq:LHCG).  
• Freightcar reported robust third-quarter results that crushed analysts’ estimates. Results were owed to cost controls. Shares up 27%. See (Nasdaq:RAIL).  
• BioMimetic Therapeutics reports promising clinical results using injectable bone graft. Shares up over 27%. See (Nasdaq:BMTI).
• Brush Engineered Materials Inc. got an earnings lift this morning, climbing 13%. See (NYSE:BW).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Polypore International beats on Q3 results, guides full year revenues below the Street, EPS straddle consensus. See (NYSE:PPO).  
• Iris International Q3 results miss Street, guides full year below consensus. See (Nasdaq:IRIS).  
• JDS Uniphase Q1 EPS beat Street: $0.11 vs. $0.09. On GAAP basis, narrows loss. (Nasdaq:JDSU).  
• Brocade and Foundry Networks to amend merger terms: Foundry's shareholders to receive $16.50 in cash for each share. See (Nasdaq:FDRY).  

FCStone Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCSX), Polypore International Inc. (Nasdaq:PPO) and Amicus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:FOLD) are among the new 52-week lows in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Northwest Pipe Co. (Nasdaq:NWPX), Universal American Corp. (Nasdaq:UAM), Calgon Carbon Corp. (Nasdaq:CCC), Medicines Co. (Nasdaq:MDCO), Hutchinson Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:HTCH) and Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. (Nasdaq:HTC).

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

It’s often been said that one of the biggest mistakes investors make is buying stocks in companies they don’t understand. The problem with that advice is that it can be rather limiting, confining individual investors to the stocks of grocery chains and certain popular coffee shops, while they overlook perfectly good companies that make things like specialized microporous membranes.

What, you ask?

It is not exactly a household word, but the specialized microporous membranes made by Charlotte, N.C.-based Polypore International Inc. (NYSE:PPO) are the sort of thing that no one seems to have heard of but may unknowingly come in contact with rather often. This contact could occur with lead acid batteries that run power tools and hybrid cars, filtration equipment that provides clean drinking water and a variety of health-care technologies such as blood dialysis equipment. The membranes essentially work to separate and filter, either to clean a substance such as water or to isolate the substances required to make products (such as advanced batteries) work properly.

A leading supplier of these omnipresent membranes, Polypore went public last July, and its stock has been on a pretty choppy ride since then. On their first day of trading, the shares opened at $19, below an expected range of $20 and $22, and then swung widely between $12.15 and $26 per share. They’ve been on the rise lately and closed Monday at $24.29 per share.

While there are a number of reasons for Polypore’s stock volatility (including its multiple restructurings, its somewhat complex ownership prior to going public, and its more than $1 billion in debt at the time of its IPO) the company’s fundamental outlook seems strong.

Four analysts who follow the company are projecting net income will rise to $0.95 per share this year and to $1.15 per share in 2009, compared with $0.44 per share next year. Three analysts who track revenue see sales rising to $604.1 million this . . .

Polypore International Inc. (NYSE:PPO)
Charlotte, N.C.
http://www.polypore.net

52-week low/high: $12.15/$25.99
Shares Outstanding: 40.33 million
Market Capitalization: $948 million

Much like the energizer bunny that keeps going and going, Polypore International, Inc. (NYSE:PPO) isn’t showing signs of slowing down any time soon. 

The chemical company develops polymer-based membranes used to separate various materials from liquids and operates in two segments: energy storage and separations media. The energy storage segment develops polypropylene and polyethylene membrane separators for lithium batteries that are used in personal electronic devices, power tools and other electric vehicles. This segment also offers polymer-based membrane separators for lead-acid batteries, which are used in batteries for automobiles and other motor vehicles.

The separation media segment manufactures filtration membranes and modules, which are used in health-care, industrial, and specialty filtration applications. This segment also provides membranes for hemodialysis, blood oxygenation and plasmapheresis applications.

Polypore sells its products and services primarily to manufacturers and converters who incorporate its products into their finished goods. 

One of the keys to this company is that it sells its products to manufacturers whose end markets retain a strong outlook. Demand for lithium-ion batteries for hybrid cars and electric cars (for example) is on the rise as the technology burgeons. With oil breaching new highs everyday, the electric car looks more and more like a viable option for the consumer. According to William Blair & Co. the lithium battery and hemodialysis industries are projected to grow 10% and 7%, respectively in the long term.

Aside from strong end-market demand, the company generates 75% of its revenues overseas — which is good news for investors looking for international exposure as the domestic economy continues to languish. The company announced this month that it acquired Yurie-Wide Corp., a South Korean company that develops technology for the manufacture of polyethylene separators for lithium-ion batteries. The addition broadens its lithium-ion product portfolio and offers a manufacturing base in Asia, essentially augmenting its prospective customer base.

You might not think this business is all that electrifying, but the company’s financial results and share price are exhilarating. Since going public roughly 10 months ago, the chemical company has clocked three solid quarters, surprising to the upside. Mirroring such robust quarters, the share price has appreciated 48% year to date.

For the first quarter ended March 29, 2008, net income rocketed 225% to $10.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, from $2.1 million, or $0.08 per share, in the first quarter of 2007. Sales increased 13% to $145.3 million from $129 million for same quarter last year.

These consecutive robust results should come as no surprise. According to William Blair analyst Brian Drab, the company benefits from recurring revenue streams mostly from the replacement-car-battery market and consumable membranes in health-care applications. However, the analyst warns that Polypore’s lithium business, one of the company’s primary long-term growth engines, can be volatile, with growth varying meaningfully from quarter to quarter.

If revenues keep going and going, as purported, so should the stock price.

Note: Polypore International Inc. (NYSE:PPO) is on the "Watch List" of Growth Report, a subscription investment newsletter from Business Financial Publishing, which also publishes SmallCapInvestor.com. As a Watch List company, Polypore displays many characteristics found in successful stock winners, and is being closely monitored for possible inclusion in the Growth Report portfolio at a later date.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) posted solid gains today, propelled by news of unexpectedly strong economic growth and a drop in the federal funds rate. The small-cap index added 11.87 points, or 1.45%, to 828.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) gained 137.54 points, or 1%, to 13,930.01.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has increased 5.16%, while the Dow has added 11.67% and the S&P 500 has gained 9.37%.

The U.S. Federal Reserve decided to lower the federal funds rate, the rate at which commercial banks make overnight loans to each other, to 4.50% from 4.75% in an effort to keep the economy growing.

The central bank lowered the federal funds rate to 4.5% and the discount rate to 5% in an effort to stimulate economic activity and keep the country from dipping into a recession. The move will make it cheaper for consumers and businesses to borrow money.

However, Fed policymakers signaled that Wednesday's cut may be all that is needed to deal with the economy's troubles.

“Today’s action, combined with the policy action taken in September, should help forestall some of the adverse effects on the broader economy that might otherwise arise from the disruptions in financial markets and promote moderate growth over time,” the Federal Open Market Committee said in statement released at about 2:15 p.m. ET.

Stocks, which declined sharply minutes before the decision was announced, raced ahead to their highest levels during the session.

Pericom Semiconductor (Nasdaq: PSEM), First Consulting Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCGI) and Polypore International, Inc. (NYSE: PPO) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) opened with modest gains this morning following news of stronger-than-expected economic growth in the third quarter.

At 10:29 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 1.70 points, or 0.21%, to 817.85. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 51.46 points, or 0.37%, to 13,843.93.

Gross domestic product rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.9% during the third quarter, the U.S. Commerce Department reported. That beats projections of an increase of 3.2%.

The increase of 3.9% represents the economy’s strongest performance since the first three months of 2006, when GDP added 4.8%. Helping the economy grow more than expected and overcome the drag from the ailing housing sector were a rise in exports, an increase in consumer spending and business investment.

In other economic news, a report from business outsourcing solutions provider Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NYSE: ADP) estimated that private employers added 106,000 jobs in October.

Elsewhere, the U.S. Federal Reserve continues its two-day policy meeting, with a decision on the target interest rate expected to be announced at 2:10 p.m. ET. The Fed is expected to either cut the federal funds rate 0.25% or leave it unchanged. That’s higher than average private-sector employment growth during the last three months.