Tag - Redf

China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN), Rediff.com India Ltd. (Nasdaq:REDF) and American Capital Agency Corp. (Nasdaq:AGNC) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM), Micromet Inc. (Nasdaq:MITI), Royale Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:ROYL), Quest Energy Partners L P (Nasdaq:QELP), Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTI) and NGAS Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:NGAS).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Middleburg Financial Corp (Nasdaq:MBRG), OfficeMax Inc (Nasdaq:OMX) and Capital Bank Corp (North Carolina) (Nasdaq:CBKN) are among the new 52-week lows in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Heritage Financial Group (Nasdaq:HBOS), ACCO Brands Corp (Nasdaq:ABD), SI Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:SIFI), Northrim BanCorp Inc (Nasdaq:NRIM), Rediff.com India Ltd (Nasdaq:REDF) and Orbotech Ltd (Nasdaq:ORBK).

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

Small-cap stocks edged lower Monday, pulled down by nagging concerns linked to the ongoing credit crunch, which weigh on small-cap financial institutions and by a record high crude oil prices. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) dipped 8.48, or 1.21%, to 689.66, generating the lowest daily close for the Russell since April 15.

Despite 10-week closing lows, price action today in small caps was relatively sleepy, with the Russell 2000 contained to an eight-handle range, compared with a 20-handle range last Thursday.

When the market opened this morning, equities were alarmed at a new record high in crude oil prices, which rose above $143 dollars a barrel overnight amid tensions between Israel and Iraq. However, crude oil was unable to sustain those new highs and actually dipped briefly into negative territory in the afternoon, leaving a potential bearish topping signal on daily charts that allowed stock market investors a little breathing room. Also on the commodities scene, gold prices pulled back today, and corn futures plunged down the daily trading limit.

Earlier this morning, the Chicago PMI headline figure came in at 49.6, which was a much better showing than the median forecast for a reading of 48. Still, the number was below the 50 contraction line for the fifth consecutive month, which underscores a soft picture in the Midwest manufacturing scene. The Chicago data was just the first of several manufacturing-oriented reports this week, but the big economic report comes Thursday morning with the monthly employment release.

For the first time in quite awhile, the Dow rallied in the face of declines in small-cap stocks. The Dow has been in collapse mode of late, sinking to 2-year lows even though the Russell 2000 was still well above the March 2008 bottom. The Dow benefited today from gains in a couple of oil company shares and from a rise in Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), which stands to hold up better than high-end retailers . . .

Despite increasing crude oil prices, small-cap stocks are on a timid rise in afternoon trading after being pummeled during last week’s trading. A better-than-expected Chicago Purchasing survey on manufacturing provided encouragement to bullish investors. At 1:48 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 1.79, or 0.26%, at 696.35.

The Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Survey, which tracks economic conditions in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, clocked in at 49.6, which topped the forecast for a figure of 48. Despite the bullish surprise on the report, it still marked a fifth consecutive month below 50, which indicates contraction in the Midwest business sector.

Crude oil prices gushed to $141.11 a barrel in afternoon trading. The U.S. dollar was up against both the yen and euro.

Small caps on the rise Monday afternoon include Alto Palermo S.A. (Nasdaq:APSA), which is up 23% despite no fresh news. Aceto Corp. (NYSE:ACET), which was up 13.55%, reversing a steep slide from last week amid oversold conditions. Rediff.com India Ltd. (Nasdaq:REDF) is up 16% despite no announcements from the India-based online company.

Small caps attracting sellers this afternoon include Security Bank Corp. (Nasdaq:SBKC) is down 23% despite no announcements from the Macon, Ga.-based firm. MGIC Investment Corp. (NYSE:MTG) is falling some 21% after shareholders on Friday gave the mortgage insurer approval to increase its share base to raise capital. Life Partners Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:LPHI) is down 13% despite an announcement that the firm was added to the Russell 3000 Index. Investors on Internet message boards speculated that Life Partner was recommended as a stock to sell . . .

Alto Palermo SA (Nasdaq:APSA), NDS GROUP PLC (Nasdaq:NNDS) and Red Lion Hotels Corp (Nasdaq:RLH) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: PowerSecure International Inc (Nasdaq:POWR), Rediff.com India Ltd (Nasdaq:REDF), Aceto Corp (Nasdaq:ACET), Stratus Properties Inc (Nasdaq:STRS), GTSI Corp (Nasdaq:GTSI) and E Com Ventures Inc (Nasdaq:ECMV).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Hurco Cos Inc (Nasdaq:HURC), Black Box Corp (Nasdaq:BBOX) and Rediff.com India Ltd (Nasdaq:REDF) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

AgFeed Industries Inc (Nasdaq:FEED), Pacific Sunwear of California Inc (Nasdaq:PSUN) and Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:ALXA) are also among the biggest percentage losers.

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) led the pack with the major U.S. indices posting solid gains as investors disregarded mixed earnings news and a decline in housing. The small-cap index added 13.79 points, or 2%, to 702.39. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) climbed 176.72 points, or 1.45%, to 12,383.89.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has let go 8.31%, while the Dow has let go 6.64% and the S&P 500 has shed 7.79%.

Small-cap stocks began the week with a strong showing despite beginning the session in negative territory following mixed earnings news from major corporate players.

McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) reported that sales at restaurants open at least 13 months were unchanged in December, disappointing analysts expecting a rise.

“While severe winter weather throughout the month and softer consumer spending resulted in December U.S. comparable sales being flat, we remain confident in our U.S. business,” said CEO Jim Skinner in a statement.

The result brought out the bears, as consumer spending comprises about 70% of gross domestic product and a decline will surely be bad news for the economy. Previously, retailers had also reported weak December sales, raising the fear that American consumers are pulling back.

However, the fast food chain operator also announced that its net income for the three months ended Dec. 31 increased to $1.27 billion, or $1.06 per share, compared with $1.24 billion, or $1 per share, a year earlier.

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


• Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. (LNY), up 23% on news that CEO Tilman Fertitta has offered to buy out the company for $379.4 million in cash.
• Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (ACOR), up 22% on news of a positive drug trial.
• Advanta Corp. (ADVNB), up 18%.


• Rediff.com India Ltd. (REDF), down 18% on news of a decline in third-quarter earnings.
• Ceragon Networks Ltd. (CRNT), down 18% despite news that it swung to a fourth-quarter profit.
• Graham Corp. (GHM), down 17% despite news that its fiscal 2008 revenue will come in near the top end of its projection for between $80 million and $85 million.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are pointing lower and the small-cap index is poised for a decline.

Small-cap stocks are headed for a bearish opening at the start of a week that will see a number of important economic releases, as well as the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates, which will be announced at the conclusion of a two-day meeting on Wednesday.

The only thing on the docket is a report on new homes sales for December. The U.S. Census Bureau will release the numbers at 10 a.m. ET, with economists expecting to see a decline.

Concerns about the U.S. economy are dominant this morning, with fast food chain operator McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) reporting that sales at restaurants open at least 13 months were unchanged in December, while analysts were expecting a rise.

Similarly, Towson, Md.-based power tool maker The Black & Decker Corp. (NYSE: BDK) forecasted that its first-quarter profit will disappoint analysts.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is the leading loser and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) is also down as stocks fall on news of a drop in new U.S. homes sales in June.

At 10:38 a.m. ET the Russell 2000 was down 13.62 points, or 1.68%, to 798.88. The Dow had lost 123.64 points, or 0.90%, to 13,661.43.

Investors are heading for the exits following the release of a report that shows the slump in the U.S. housing sector continues to get worse.

Sales of new one-family houses in June fell 6.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 834,000, the U.S Census Bureau said after the start of trading. Economists were anticipating a slight increase to 900,000 from May’s revised rate of 893,000.

On a year-over-year basis, new home sales are down 22.3%.

The bears first came out to play as soon as the opening bell rang, emboldened by news that orders for durable goods increased 1.4% in June, below the anticipated rise of 1.7%.

However, durable goods orders fell 0.7% when excluding the volatile transportation sector. Observers were forecasting a rise of 0.6%.

The following are the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million:

Shares of Rediff.com India Ltd. (Nasdaq: REDF) are tumbling this morning after the worldwide online provider of news, information, communication, entertainment and shopping services to Indians worldwide reported its fiscal first year sales below the sole analyst estimate.

For the first three months ended June 30, Rediff.com India booked revenues of US$6.8 million. One analyst polled by Thomson Financial expected revenues of $9.1 million for the second quarter.

The India-based firm recorded net income of US$2.12 million, or $0.0726 per ADS, compared with net income of US$1.98 million, or $0.0682 per ADS, for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. One analyst polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $0.06 per share for the second quarter.

Shares of Rediff.com India slid 12.85%, or $2.58, to $17.50 in pre-market trading.