Tag - Rtix

Medivation Inc. (Nasdaq:MDVN), Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq:GILT) and RTI Biologics Inc. (Nasdaq:RTIX) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq:NBIX), TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq:TIVO), China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN), James River Coal Co. (Nasdaq:JRCC), Sykes Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq:SYKE) and ShengdaTech Inc. (Nasdaq:SDTH).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

It’s not much fun when you offer to give your heart to the apple of your eye and the transaction is declined. Oh, it’s painful, but usually nothing a long bubble bath or a series of cold, fermented beverages can’t wash away.

However, it’s a true matter of life and death when a transplant recipient’s body rejects actual donated heart tissue.

That’s why doctors and investors alike are excited by the launch of a new technique developed by Kennesaw, Ga.-based CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE:CRY) called SynerGraft that’s expected to significantly reduce transplanted heart valve rejection, not to mention boost revenues along the way.

This is big news for the $256 million market cap developer of biomaterials and surgical implant devices that knows a thing or two about rejection itself (more on that shortly).

Among its enviable arsenal of products, CryoLife offers: an increasingly profitable surgical adhesive called BioGlue, which alone generates around 45% of total revenues; a wound sealer called BioFoam, currently being modified for battlefield applications with military R&D funding; transplantable porcine heart valves; and vascular grafts of bovine tissue.

Besides these products, the company is also a well-known leader in the cryo-preservation and distribution of donated cardiovascular and vascular tissue for transplant. CryoLife was hit hard in 2002, though, when it was ordered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to recall and halt the production and sale of non-valved cardiac vascular and orthopedic tissue after reports of infections and injuries resulting from implanted tissues surfaced. The order prompted huge sell-offs of the stock.

Then, heartbreakingly, after just getting its circulation back with improved quality controls, third-party accreditation and regained FDA approval, CryoLife once again . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) posted a decline following news of more bleak economic reports. The small-cap index fell 1.96 points, or 0.29%, to 684.22, its fourth consecutive decrease. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) lost 7.49 points, or 0.06%, to 12,258.90.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has lost 10.68%, while the Dow is down 7.58% and the S&P 500 has shed 9.33%.

The U.S. economy again took center stage today as twin government reports again raised fears of a recession. Stocks fell on Friday after an inflation gauge came in higher than expected and a measure of regional business conditions disappointed.

Today’s bad news came in the form of a report from the U.S. Census Bureau after the opening that construction spending fell a more-than-expected 1.7% in January to an annual rate of $1.121 trillion. On a year-over-year basis, construction spending is down 3.3%.

Meanwhile, the Institute for Supply Management said after the start of trading that its manufacturing index declined to 48.3 in February from 50.7 in January. Economists were expecting to see a steeper decline. Readings below 50 indicate a contraction.

New orders, inventories, production and employment all posted declines, while the backlog of orders increased.

The Russell 2000 dropped out of the get then rose to its session high of near 689 points at about 10:30 a.m. ET before falling again. Small-cap stocks bottomed out at 3 p.m. ET at a level of 675 but rallied in the last hour of trading.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is posting solid gains following news that Wal-Mart reported a rise in its third-quarter financials.

At 10:20 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 9.28 points, or 1.21%, to 776.37. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 121.93 points, or 0.94%, to 13,109.48.

The bulls are back in action following news before the start of trading that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) reported a 7.9% increase in third-quarter profit at its U.S. stores, while revenue rose 8.9%.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based company, the world’s largest retailer, had a profit of $2.86 billion, or $0.70 per share, compared with $2.65 billion, or $0.63 per share, a year ago. That’s above Wall Street’s expected earnings of $0.67 per share and on revenue of $91.67 billion.

Wal-Mart also improved its fiscal 2008 earnings guidance.

Meanwhile, home improvement retailer The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) announced a 27% drop in its third-quarter earnings, reflecting the ongoing stagnation in the U.S. housing market.

Overseas, London’s FTSE 100 index slipped 0.1%, while Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index surrendered 0.5%.

No major economic releases are scheduled for today.

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

Biggest percentage gainers:

• US BioEnergy Corp. (USBE), up 13% on news of a rise in third-quarter profit.
• BIDZ.com (BIDZ), up 15% on news of a rise in third-quarter profit.
• School Specialty Inc. (SCHS), up 12% on news of a rise in fiscal second-quarter profit.

Biggest percentage losers:

• TravelCenters of America LLC. (TA), down 17% on news it swung to a third-quarter loss.
• Regeneration Technologies Inc. (RTIX) down 12% on news it has purchased Tutogen Medical Inc. (TTG) for $263 million.

Colonial Bankshares Inc. (Nasdaq: COBK), Coast Distribution System Inc. (AMEX: CRV) and Great Pee Dee Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: PEDE) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

The Russell 2000 is joining the other major U.S. indices in extending its downward slide. At 14:42 p.m. ET the Russell 2000 was down 14.32 points, or 1.70%, to 826.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had lost 139.21 points, or 1.03%, to 13,326.46.

Shares of CorVel Corp. (Nasdaq: CRVL), a provider of medical cost containment and managed care services, are higher following news of record quarterly earnings. The net income for the quarter ended March 31 was $0.37 was per share, compared with a net income of $0.22 per share in the same quarter of 2006, the Irvine, Calif.-based company said before market open.

Yardville National Bancorp (Nasdaq: YANB), the holding company for Yardville National Bank, will be purchased by PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: PNC) for $403 million in stock and cash, according to news reports this morning.  The buyout has been approved by both boards.  Shares are up $0.23, or 1%, to $35.77.

Shares of Lexington, Mass.-based Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDEV) sagging despite news this morning that a Phase III clinical trial of a long-acting injectable testosterone therapy net its endpoints and showed that the treatment was well tolerated.

The Russell 2000 is joining the other major indices in positive territory this afternoon.  Among small caps, shares of Regeneration Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: RTIX) are up on news of a long-term product distribution agreement, while shares of Accelrys, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACCL) have not reacted despite news of a quarterly profit.

At 2:23 p.m. ET the Russell 2000 had added 3.15 points, or 0.39%, to 817.33.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 65.74 points, or 0.49%, to 13,449.58, on track for a new record close.