Tag - Rrgb

Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) and DrdGold ADR (Nasdaq:DROOY) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), CV Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CVTX), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT), InfoSpace Inc. (Nasdaq:INSP), Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE) and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Nasdaq:RRGB).

Stocks reversed the downward course they were forging during Friday trading, and pared some losses after the U.S. government put rumors of bank nationalizations to rest. Some of today’s small-cap gainers were Soapstone Networks (Nasdaq:SOAP), Maxwell Technologies (Nasdaq:MXWL) and Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:SCMP).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• A new report on consumer prices was released this morning. Economists predicted the Consumer Price Index likely rose by 0.3% last month, and the data turned out to be exactly in line with the predictions.  
• For the year, the Russell is down 17.72%, the Dow is down 16.07% and the S&P 500 is down 14.75%. 
• The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed down 5.75, or 1.38%, to 410.96, while the Dow topped off Friday down 1.34% to 7,365.67, and the S&P 500 fell 1.14% to 770.05.  
• Stocks reversed the downward course they were forging during Friday trading, and pared some losses after the U.S. government put rumors of bank nationalizations to rest.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Soapstone Networks up 18% after the company announced it was reviewing strategic alternatives. See (Nasdaq:SOAP).
• Maxwell Technologies posts higher 4th quarter sales and gross margin, buoying shares 16% higher. See (Nasdaq:MXWL).  
• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals reports its third consecutive year of profitability with record FY 2008 results. Shares climbed 12% higher on the news. See (Nasdaq:SCMP).  
• Analyst lifts Red Robin's target; 2008 revenue Up, com. sales down. RRGB up 12.5%. See (Nasdaq:RRGB).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Chiquita Brands' Q4 loss widens, freezes executive salaries. Shares plunge over 40%. See (NYSE:CQB).
• IT company CIBER, Inc. down 22% after announcing pricing of common stock offering. See (NYSE:CBR).  
• WellCare suspends Medicare enrollments; shares fall 22%. See (NYSE:WCG).  
• Residential and commercial building material manufacturer Owens Corning down 20% as investors digest earnings, small cap mulls job cuts. See (NYSE:OC).  

Cabela's Inc. (Nasdaq:CAB), Breeze Eastern Corporation (Nasdaq:BZC) and Kindred Healthcare Inc. (Nasdaq:KND) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: WebMD Health Corp. (Nasdaq:WBMD), Maxwell Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:MXWL), Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (Nasdaq:GPI), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Nasdaq:RRGB), Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SCMP) and Interline Brands Inc. (Nasdaq:IBI).

Wright Medical Group Inc (Nasdaq:WMGI), Palm Inc (Nasdaq:PALM) and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc (Nasdaq:RRGB) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: CV Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CVTX), Neutral Tandem Inc. (Nasdaq:TNDM), Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:CBST), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), Centennial Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:CYCL) and Zoran Corp. (Nasdaq:ZRAN).

Small-cap stocks jumped higher on the opening, bolstered by investor hope that yet another government cash infusion into Bank of America will stabilize a shaky situation in the financial arena. Bank stocks, mining companies, chipmakers and automobile manufacturers were up in overseas action, setting the stage for an extension of the bounce in U.S. markets Thursday afternoon. Some of today’s small-cap gainers were American Vanguard Corp.  (NYSE:AVD), Cryptologic (Nasdaq:CRYP) and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (Nasdaq:RRGB).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The yield on benchmark 10-year notes was up 8% early on, climbing back to 2.37% after slipping below 2.2% Thursday.   South Africa, a major exporter of commodity goods, saw their stock market upgraded this morning by Morgan Stanley analysts.  
• Shortly after the open, the greenback was down about 1.4% against the euro, which should help not only crude oil, but a host of commodity markets.  
• Crude oil was lower in European trading ahead of the stock market open, but rallied about $1 a barrel by the opening. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• American Vanguard Corp. will move into the S&P SmallCap 600 index; the agriculture products company rallied 12% on the news. See (NYSE:AVD).  
• Cryptologic up 6% in pre-market after announcing it will outsource its online poker network by end Q1 2009. See (Nasdaq:CRYP). 
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers up 3.4%, paring some of the dramatics losses the stock saw on Thursday. See (Nasdaq:RRGB).
• Synchronoss Technologies up 2.2% ahead of its Q4 and fully year 2008 earnings release on Feb. 5. See (Nasdaq:SNCR).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Belden Inc. was off 12%, fueled by news that the electronics maker updated the outlook. See (NYSE:BDC).  
• Elizabeth Arden Inc. tumbled 13% as preliminary quarterly results were below expectations and the beauty products firm slashed the outlook for the upcoming quarter. See (Nasdaq:RDEN).  
• Rochester Medical drops 9% after reaching a settlement with Tyco Healthcare Group. See (Nasdaq:ROCM).  
• Meridian Bioscience, Inc. falls 10% in pre-market after issuing Q1 2009 guidance below analysts' expectations. See (Nasdaq:VIVO).

Small-cap stocks remained sharply lower into mid-session trading, pulled down by sinking bank and financial stocks, which cascaded into other groups. A fresh batch of economic data this morning was weak as expected, but relatively tame and did little to lessen ongoing worries about the credit crunch and a deep recession.Some of today’s small-cap gainers were Javelin Pharmaceuticals Inc (NYSE:JAV), Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:PPHM) and West Marine, Inc. (Nasdaq:WMAR).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Copper pulled into negative territory on the economy jitters and a strong dollar keeping many physical markets on the defensive.  
• Crude oil futures tumbled below $35 a barrel to fresh contract lows today amid worries about global demand.  
• Energy shares were also starting to sink heading into the afternoon, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund off 2.7%.  
• The KBW Banking Index was down 8.5% at midday and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund was off 6.6%. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Javelin Pharmaceuticals Inc. rallied 21% on a volume spike amid news that the firm signed a $71 million deal for a European marketing partnership. See (NYSE:JAV).  
• Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc. climbed 7% to six-month highs on a volume burst. See (Nasdaq:PPHM).  
• West Marine, Inc. raises FY 2008 earnings outlook; shares up 7%. See (Nasdaq:WMAR).
• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. is seeing its best volume in more than a month, rising about 1.7% in the process. See (Nasdaq:RMCF).

Small Cap Losers:

• Liberty Shipping withdraws offer for International Shipholding Corporation; ISH shares fall 25%. See (NYSE:ISH).  
• Marshall & Ilsley is down 23% after falling to a Q4 loss of $403.9M, cutting 850 jobs. See (NYSE:MI).
• Cynsosure Inc. gapped lower and fell 13% as the maker of medical treatment systems for aesthetic procedures released preliminary results. See (Nasdaq:CYNO).   
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. is down 12% and has been sinking fast the last several sessions. See (Nasdaq:RRGB).

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

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

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

Small Cap Gainers:

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

Small Cap Losers:

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

Small-cap stocks opened flat, but pushed lower amid concerns about banking stocks, which rekindles fears of the credit crunch. In addition, tech stocks were soft, which played into the selling tone. At 10:01 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 3.49, or 0.77%, at 449.68.

The weekly claims report came in at 524,000, which was fairly close to the projection of 520,000. Last week’s figure was revised upward sharply, but that was not a big surprise as most viewed last week’s number as an oddity. Elsewhere on the data front, the New York Manufacturing Survey came in at minus 22, which was slightly better than the forecast of minus 25, but which is still an awful number historically. The PPI report came in at minus 1.9%, very close to the projection of minus 2%, but no one is really worried about inflation right now anyhow. The Philly Fed survey was reported at minus 24.3%, which was better than the minus 35 forecast, but like the NY number, still weak historically.

In overseas action, European stocks were on track to decline for a seventh consecutive session, as investors were disappointed that central bank officials only slashed 50 basis points off the benchmark interest rate. The health of banks is a big concern here in the United States and also in Europe.

Speaking of banks, JP Morgan Chase and Co. (NYSE:JPM) reported better-than-expected quarterly results after the close Wednesday afternoon, but the bloom quickly fell off the rose for banks as Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC) said they will need additional funds to absorb the Merrill Lynch acquisition. Shortly after the open, JPM was up 3.2%, while BAC was down 9.3%. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) continued to reel, sinking some 9% shortly after the open.

Technology shares were in retreat mode overnight, but opened up much better than feared. Apple Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL) was leading the bearish way amid reports that CEO Steve Jobs will take a medical leave of absence. AAPL shares were down 4.1% early this morning.

RealtyTrac reported that foreclosures soared 41% in December versus year-ago levels and for the year foreclosure filings were up 81% as homeowners struggled . . .

Foot Locker Inc. (Nasdaq:FL), SL Green Rlty REIT (Nasdaq:SLG) and Pharmaxis Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:PXSL) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Wilshire Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:WIBC), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Nasdaq:RRGB), Herley Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:HRLY), Quixote Corp. (Nasdaq:QUIX), Lacrosse Footwear Inc. (Nasdaq:BOOT) and Gladstone Commercial Corporation (Nasdaq:GOODO).

Small caps remained lower into midday trading, unable to draft off support from moderate gains in large caps as investors still have risk aversion on their mind. Energy stocks were providing a lift to large caps, but financial shares were struggling, pulling down lots of small banks in the small-cap universe. At 12:39 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 2.87, or 0.75%, at 382.43, but up 11 handles from the new bear market lows set earlier in the day.

There was a giant snap-back in Treasury yields today, driven by ideas Thursday’s panic rise in yields was overdone and by some desire to bargain hunt for big-cap energy stocks. The yield on the long-bond was up more than 8% at mid-session, which is a startling one-day move. There was also some thought that buying interest in large caps was driven by options expirations and fewer small caps see significant options activity. However, the general notion is that options expirations tend to mirror dominant trends for the expiration period, and there is no doubt that stocks have been headed sharply lower ahead of today’s expirations.

Financial shares remain a big drag on the market, with Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) extending the freefall. C shares were down 12% at midday and are off a stunning 70% during the month of November. JP Morgan Chase and Co. (NYSE:JPM) was down 11% and JPM shares have been sliced in half since Nov. 5. The Financial Select Sector SPDR was down 4.3% at midday.

Energy giant Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) was up 2.5% and providing a major lift to the Dow, but the rise in big-cap oil didn’t seem to have as much of an influence on small-cap commodity firms today — or at least not enough to counter sinking financials and a batch of soft profit reports.

Individual small caps on the decline today were dominated by small financial firms, outside of that arena Collective Brands Inc. (NYSE:PSS) was off 25% as the holding company for Payless Shoes and Stride Rite plunged to fresh 52-week lows. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Nasdaq:RRGB) was down 23% as the casual . . .

MGP Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:MGPI), Patrick Industries Inc. (NYSE:PATK) and Monroe Bancorp (Nasdaq:MROE) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Concurrent Computer Corp. (AMEX:CCUR), FBR Capital Markets Corp. (Nasdaq:FBCM), Ohio Valley Banc Corp. (Nasdaq:OVBC), Northrim BanCorp Inc. (Nasdaq:NRIM), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc (Nasdaq:RRGB) and Chase Corp. (Nasdaq:CCF).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Columbia Banking System Inc (Nasdaq:COLB), Taylor Capital Group Inc (Nasdaq:TAYC) and Entercom Communications Corp (Nasdaq:ETM) are among the new 52-week lows in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: GSI Group Inc (Nasdaq:GSIG), LandAmerica Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:LFG), Penford Corp (Nasdaq:PENX), Century Bancorp Inc (Nasdaq:CNBKA), Indiana Community Bancorp (Nasdaq:INCB) and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc (Nasdaq:RRGB).

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

Adolor Corp (Nasdaq:ADLR), China Precision Steel Inc (Nasdaq:CPSL) and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc (Nasdaq:RRGB) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Dendreon Corp (Nasdaq:DNDN), Pacific Ethanol Inc (Nasdaq:PEIX) and China Sunergy Co Ltd (Nasdaq:CSUN) are also among the most actively traded companies.

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Small-cap shares opened lower, pulled down by soaring crude oil prices, troubling economic data, a decline in overseas equities and a sinking greenback. At 9:52 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was off 3.25, or 0.44%, at 735.20.

Crude oil jumped to a new record high, climbing above $129 dollars a barrel amid tight stocks for diesel fuel and solid demand out of China and South America that is countering soft demand from the United States. With gasoline prices in some metropolitan areas moving above $4 dollars a gallon, another record high in crude oil will not likely be embraced by stock market traders, even if a handful of energy stocks stand to benefit.

This morning’s PPI report was a mixed bag at first glance, with the headline figure coming in at 0.2%, which was better than the forecast for a rise of 0.4%. However, with gasoline prices still soaring, that figure already seems out of date, and investors were much more concerned about a jump in the “core” PPI, which climbed to 0.4% — above the forecast for a rise to 0.2%. The core rate excludes food and energy prices, which means there are other price pressures in the pipeline to be concerned about as well. This jump in the core tightens margins for businesses and forces them to consider raising prices, which can be suicidal in a sluggish economy where consumer discretionary spending is already pinched by lofty food and energy costs.

Other economic data this morning also had a soft tone, as weekly chain store sales were off 0.4% last week, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. In addition, the Chicago Federal Reserve National Activity Index slipped to minus . . .

Shares of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Nasdaq:RRGB) are getting cold on news before the opening that the casual dining restaurant chain has been downgraded to “market perform” from “outperform” by Wachovia Securities. The downgrade is due to concerns about a pullback in consumer spending as the economy softens, according to news reports.

At 3:20 p.m. ET, the stock had let go $2.90, or 7%, to $37.10.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is in negative territory, down more than any of the other major U.S. indices.

At 10:06 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was off 7.24 points, or 1.04%, to 689.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had let go 29.06 points, or 0.24%, to 12,255.24.

With no major economic news scheduled for today, investors are focusing on company news. The Russell 2000 opened in the green but quickly turned south.

Leading the downward movement is Cbeyond, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBEY), a provider of Internet protocol-based (IP) communications services. The Atlanta, Ga.-based company reported that its fourth-quarter profit nearly tripled, but released 2008 revenue guidance below expectations.

Also falling is McGrath RentCorp (Nasdaq: MGRC). The seller of portable classrooms and office space posted fourth-quarter net income of $12.1 million, or $0.48 per share, beating projections. However, revenue was $70.7 million, below the expected $78.9 million.

On the flip side, armored vehicles maker Force Protection, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRPT) is seeing its shares rise on news that it has received a $115 million order from the U.K. Ministry of Defense.

Financial technology services provider Online Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCC) is also enjoying a bump in its stock price following news that fourth-quarter revenues rose 29.6% to $38.1 million, above Wall Street’s forecast of $37.9 million.

Shares of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Nasdaq: RRGB) are in the green on news that the Greenwood Village, Colo.-based casual dining chain increased its fourth-quarter profit 14%.

Back in the 1940s, so the story goes, the owner of a certain Sam’s Tavern in Seattle was fond of singing while he worked, particularly the hit tune about “The red, red robin goes bob, bob, bobbin’ along.” Eventually the bar and grill became known as Sam’s Red Robin Tavern and evolved into Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Nasdaq: RRGB).

Now headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colo., a Denver suburb, Red Robin has 370-some owned and franchised restaurants in 40 states – and it has more and more analysts singing its song. Four analysts have upgraded their ratings on Red Robin in the past three months, bringing the tally to two strong buys, five buys, and seven holds (no sells). Also, JP Morgan initiated coverage at neutral.

The restaurant market is growing more differentiated as analysts cast a wary eye on the consumer economy. Starbucks Corp. (Nasdaq: SBUX) is on the outs, while McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) is in. Red Robin, which offers 20-plus gourmet burgers on its menu – all-beef as well as chicken, salmon and others (“anything between two buns”) – is bobbin’ on the threshold of being in.

For one thing, a cloud hanging over the company since ex-CEO Michael Snyder was booted out in 2005 for running up $1.2 million in unauthorized expenses, mostly in personal trips on a charter jet, has recently been dispelled. Snyder, still a major shareholder in Red Robin, agreed earlier this month to a $250,000 fine and a ban from corporate office. The SEC said it has dropped its investigation of the company, and Red Robin settled a class action shareholder suit over the matter for $1.5 million.