Tag - Rtlx

ATA Inc. (Nasdaq:ATAI), Finish Line Inc. (Nasdaq:FINL) and Retalix Ltd (Nasdaq:RTLX) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Computer Task Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CTGX), W Holding Co Inc. (Nasdaq:WHI), Elbit Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq:EMITF), Starlims Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:LIMS), Student Loan Corp. (Nasdaq:STU) and Books-A-Million Inc. (Nasdaq:BAMM).

Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX), Minefinders Corp Ltd. (Nasdaq:MFN) and Iowa Telecommunications Services Inc. (Nasdaq:IWA) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Electro-Optical Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:MELA), Rome Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:ROME), Seabridge Gold Inc. (Nasdaq:SA), OSI Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OSIS), Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX) and BroadVision Inc. (Nasdaq:BVSN).

Small caps opened lower, extending losses seen on Friday. At 10:40, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is down 15.09, or 3.37%, to 433.27. The Dow is down 3.15%, while the S&P 500 is 3.91% lower. This morning’s slide took the S&P 500 below the 800 level for the first time since the bear market low of Nov. 21 as financials and shares of big energy companies weighed.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) is down 12.8% ahead of its expected proposal out today with Chrysler LLC. The companies plan to submit the details to the Obama administration to illustrate that the two battered automakers can return to profit. The proposal aims to cut jobs and pare brands, among other things, in hopes of securing billions of dollars in additional federal aid that the companies say they will pay back. General Motors is asking for another $4 billion on top of the $9 billion it has already received, while Chrysler wants another $3 billion on top of the already borrowed $4 billion.

President Obama is scheduled to sign the $787 billion stimulus bill into law today, and is set to detail a plan on Wednesday to help stem mortgage foreclosures. By the losses Wall Street has seen this morning, it seems investors have . . .

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX) and Riverbed Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:RVBD) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), Netlogic Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq:NETL), Ciena Corp. (Nasdaq:CIEN) and Allos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTH).

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:CCO), WHX Corp. (Nasdaq:WXCO) and Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SVNT) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Meritage Homes Corp. (Nasdaq:MTH), Volt Information Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:VOL), Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX), Bottomline Technologies  Inc. (Nasdaq:EPAY), John Bean Technologies Corp (Nasdaq:JBT) and Saia Inc. (Nasdaq:SAIA).

Center Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:CNBC), Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX) and DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Ceradyne Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN), TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:TSYS), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Ariba Inc. (Nasdaq:ARBA), Axsys Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:AXYS) and ev3 Inc. (Nasdaq:EVVV).

Allos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTH), Otelco Inc. (Nasdaq:OTT) and Blyth Inc. (Nasdaq:BTH) are among the biggest percentage losers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: K Swiss Inc. (Nasdaq:KSWS), Heritage Crystal Clean Inc. (Nasdaq:HCCI), Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX), Vail Resorts Inc. (Nasdaq:MTN), VIST Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:VIST) and America's Car-Mart Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT).

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed down nearly 8% today, sinking to the lowest point since May 2003. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Orexigen Therapeutics (Nasdaq:OREX), Retalix Limited (Nasdaq:RTLX) and Targanta Therapeutics (Nasdaq:TARG).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• The consumer price index headline figure came in at minus 1%, which was slightly below the consensus forecast for a dip of 0.8%.
• The MBA Mortgage Application Index slipped 6.2% and is hovering near 8-year lows as the housing market continues to struggle. 
• Single-family housing starts tumbled to the lowest level in 27 years.
• Automobile manufacturers, REITS, health-care facilities and hot commodities like aluminum and coal were all down. 
• The yield on benchmark 10-year notes collapsed some 4.5% today and the yield on five-year notes hit a five-year low.
• The chart picture for small caps is decidedly one-dimensional, with all the power and the dynamic long-term patterns pointing to further decay.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX) closed up 20% without any apparent fresh news behind the move.
• Retalix Limited (Nasdaq:RTLX) closed up 20.5% on light volume this morning, following earnings results earlier this week that showed a decline in Q3 profit, prompting small cap to cut guidance.
• Targanta Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq:TARG) was a featured small-cap in rally mode Monday and the move was extended today –- the company closed . . .

Small-cap stocks opened lower, quickly recouped the losses but then resumed the downdraft in whipsaw trading, as the market tried to shrug off overseas declines. A fresh batch of economic data on housing starts, consumer inflation and mortgage applications was predictably awful, but not a surprise. Today’s small-cap gainers are TechTarget (Nasdaq:TTGT), Senomyx Inc. (Nasdaq:SNMX) and Retalix Limited. (Nasdaq:RTLX). 

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Auto executives will be in Washington again today to lobby for aid, in an issue that has been contentious from a political standpoint.  
• The U.S. dollar was down 1% against the euro, which provided some support to the commodities sector.  
• Commodity markets began to rise off the overnight lows ahead of the stock market open, which helped limit initial losses for equities.  
• Single-family housing starts tumbled to the lowest level in 27 years.  

Small Cap Gainers:

• TechTarget climbing 16% following a rise in the company's Q3 online revenue reported last week. See (Nasdaq:TTGT).
• Senomyx Inc. up over 18% on lower-than-average volume. See (Nasdaq:SNMX).
• Retalix Limited up 12% on light volume this morning, following earnings results earlier this week that showed a decline in Q3 profit, prompting small cap to cut guidance. See (Nasdaq:RTLX).  
• Shares of Pan American Silver Corp. are up 10% analysts cut the company's price target to $19 from $36 on Monday. See (Nasdaq:PAAS).  

Small Cap Losers:

• General Motors says European Opel Brand not for sale; shares are down 15.2%. See (NYSE:GM).
• Genesco Inc. tumbled 11% as the specialty retailer reported earnings and revised guidance. See (NYSE:GCO).  
• Arbitron Inc. is down 10% as the media and marketing research firm tumbled to fresh 52-week lows. See (NYSE:ARB).  
• JA Solar down 3% in pre-market on very light volume. The small cap is hovering near its 52-week low of $2.01; its 52-week high is $27. See (Nasdaq:JASO).

Small-cap stocks opened higher, briefly slipped into negative territory, then climbed back to flat levels in the first 30 minutes of trading. Some pressure was linked to disappointment over the lack of a big stimulus announcement out of the G-20 meeting, a decline in worldwide stocks overnight, and a mild rise in Libor rates. However, a better than expected result on industrial production helped limit the initial damage. At 9:58 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 0.66, or 0.15%, at 457.19.

The market tumbled to the lowest weekly close on Friday in more than five years, and global equities were modestly lower overnight, keeping the bearish frame of mind intact to start today’s action. Japan said that their economy slipped into an official recession, joining a similar designation out of the eurozone from late last week. This marks the first recession for Japan since 2001. Despite the news, Japan’s stock market was actually up overnight, rising by about 0.7%.

Stock index futures bounced off the lows right before the opening when the industrial production report came in at plus 1.3%, which was better than the forecast for a more tame rise of 0.2%. However, there were downward revisions to the history, which took some of the edge off the good news on production. Earlier this morning, the New York Manufacturing Survey also slightly beat the forecast, but was still at the lowest point in seven years. The big economic news now will be Tuesday’s inflation data on producer prices.

Crude oil prices rallied back into positive territory after being down about $1 a barrel earlier this morning. Energy and commodity stocks have been a big drag on the market in recent weeks, but are oversold. On the individual company front on energy, Warren Buffett increased his stake in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), which could be a supportive psychological factor for not just COP, but other energy names if it stirs “copycat” action. So far, the Buffett fans weren’t that moved by the news; COP was down . . .

WellCare Health Plans Inc. (Nasdaq:WCG), Fundtech Ltd. (Nasdaq:FNDT) and Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX) are among the new 52-week lows in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Hiland Partners LP (Nasdaq:HLND), Elbit Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq:EMITF), Thermadyne Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:THMD), Formula Systems Depository Receipt (Nasdaq:FORTY), Hadera Paper Ltd. (Nasdaq:AIP) and PHI Inc. (Nasdaq:PHIIK).

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

WellCare Health Plans Inc. (Nasdaq:WCG), KV Pharmaceutical (Nasdaq:KV.A) and Oriental Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:OFG) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Fundtech Ltd. (Nasdaq:FNDT), Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX), Life Time Fitness Inc. (Nasdaq:LTM), RHI Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq:RHIE), SI Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq:SIFI) and Primoris Services Corp. (Nasdaq:PRIM).

Small-cap stocks opened lower Friday, pulled down by lingering worries about the economy, a dip in stock markets around the world overnight and a renewed safe-haven mentality ahead of the weekend. Today’s small-cap gainers are Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX), Powerwave Technologies (Nasdaq:PWAV) and DivX (Nasdaq:DIVX).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Crude oil prices were slumping today, down about $2 a barrel amid a resurgent U.S. dollar overnight.  
• Today’s trading will not only close the books on a dreadful month for the stock
market, but also represents the final week of trading before voters decide on a new president next week.
• The yield on benchmark 10-year notes was down 2.7%, which reflects strong demand for Treasury notes as the yield moves inverse to price.  
• As the stock market lurched toward the end of a historic month investors seemed reluctant to extend a 3-day buying spree in small caps and money was moving back into Treasury markets.

Small Cap Gainers:

• Retalix Ltd. jumped 31% as the software provider for food distributors and retailers gapped higher on the open. See (Nasdaq:RTLX).
• Powerwave Technologies Up 11% in after-hours; Q3 results beat estimates by $0.03. See (Nasdaq:PWAV).  
• DivX Q3 results top expectations, guides in line to above Street. DivX shares were up 8% overnight. See (Nasdaq:DIVX).  
• Air T boosted 5% in pre-market trading; Q2 results up sharply pver year-ago levels See (Nasdaq:AIRT).


Small Cap Losers:

• Bare Excentuals Inc. gapped lower and shed some 38% on soft earnings news. See (Nasdaq:BARE).  
• Penson Worldwide Inc. is down 32% on news that a subsidiary has incurred a $15.5M unsecured receivable from a firm that has ceased operations.
See (Nasdaq:PNSN).  
• Conexant Systems seats With Q4, guides below Street. Shares down 16% in pre-market. See (Nasdaq:CNXT).  
• Morningstar shares nearly 5% lower in after hours after Q3 results miss estimates. See (Nasdaq:MORN).

After dipping into the red briefly this morning, small caps swung into the green, but remain almost flat midday, as earnings from tech heavy weight Hewlett-Packard, gains in the dollar, and a decline in crude overshadowed concerns surrounding the financial sector, notably Freddie and Fannie’s viability.

At 12:15 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 0.50, or 0.07%, at 730.53, while the Dow was up 0.08% and the tech-laden Nasdaq had slipped 0.04%.

The market focused on the positive in the negative news abyss. Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ), the world’s largest computer maker, posted robust quarterly results that bested the consensus on Wall Street and fueled a surge in the tech-heavy Nasdaq for a good portion of the morning. 

In other positive news, the greenback is gaining against the euro and the yen midday after having trimmed gains earlier in the session. The price moves reflect confidence from overseas investors on the U.S. economy and U.S.-tied assets — including stocks.

As the dollar has rallied, crude oil has turned lower, slipping $1.58 to $112 and change a barrel midday following a report from the Energy Information Administration that oil inventories increased more than forecasted from last week. The commodity has sold off from a surge above $116 a barrel earlier this morning.

Software provider for retailers Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX) posted second-quarter results early this morning that bested the consensus on Wall Street. Going forward, the company noted that it expects the improving trend in cash flows from operations to continue in the coming quarters.

Additionally, the Retalix said that industry analysts purport that the economy may cause delays in planned investments, but that few retailers will forgo key IT investments, as slashing IT budgets in the short term jeopardizes their long-term health.

Shares gained 4%, or $0.40, to $11.62 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and news stories on Retalix, click RTLX.  

China Sunergy Co Ltd (Nasdaq:CSUN), Novatel Wireless Inc (Nasdaq:NVTL) and Retalix Ltd (Nasdaq:RTLX) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.   

Also included among the results: Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR), FX Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:FXEN), InterVoice Inc. (Nasdaq:INTV), Taser International Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), BSD Medical Corp. (Nasdaq:BSDM) and Ultra Clean Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:UCTT).        

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:    

Converted Organics Inc. (Nasdaq:COIN), Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX) and Alvarion Ltd. (Nasdaq:ALVR) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are the most actively traded small-cap companies in Thursday's pre-market trading:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) lost ground today following news of an unexpected downsizing in U.S. manufacturing in November. The small-cap index fell 12.48 points, or 1.63%, to 753.55. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) dropped 220.86 points, or 1.67%, to 13,043.96.

The first session of 2008 belonged to the bears following news that U.S. manufacturing unexpectedly shrank in December.

The Institute for Supply Management reported after that its manufacturing index fell to 47.7 in December, down from 50.8 in November and well below economists’ projections for a reading of 50.5. A level above 50 indicates an expansion.

The decline, which comes after 10 months of expansion, is due to a fall in new orders, production and exports. The data tell us that tighter lending conditions and the ongoing problems in the U.S. housing sector have taken their toll.

The numbers also renew fears that the slowing U.S. economy could tip into recession. Manufacturing comprises about 14% of gross domestic product.

Small-cap stocks started just above the flat line but dropped immediately after the report’s release at 10 a.m. ET.

Equities experience a short-lived bounce in the afternoon when the U.S. Federal Reserve released its minutes from the meeting on Dec. 11, when it decided to lower the target interest rate 0.25% to 4.25%.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is in the red as investors respond to news of an unexpected contraction in the U.S. manufacturing sector. At 1:31 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had lost 13.87 points, or 1.81%, to 752.20. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was down 242.40 points, or 1.83%, to 13,022.42.

The bears are dominating trading today on news that U.S. factory production unexpectedly shrank in December.

The Institute for Supply Management reported after the start of trading that its manufacturing index fell to 47.7 in December. Economists were expecting to see a reading of 50.5, down from 50.8 in November. A level above 50 indicates an expansion.

The decline tells us that tighter lending conditions and the ongoing problems in the U.S. housing sector have taken their toll. The data also renewed fears that the slowing U.S. economy could tip into recession.

Manufacturing comprises about 14% of gross domestic product.

Meanwhile, construction spending in November surprisingly increased 0.1% from the level in October, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Economists were expecting to see a decline of 0.4%.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are falling on unexpected news that the manufacturing sector is contracting.
 
At 10:47 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had lost 8 points, or 1.04%, to 758.03. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was off 98.28 points, or 0.74%, to 13,166.54.

Stocks opened with small gains but quickly sunk after 10 a.m. ET on news that the U.S. manufacturing sector is contracting.

The Institute for Supply Management reported that its manufacturing index fell to 47.7 in December from 50.8 in November. Economists were expecting to see a level of 50.5, which would have been the 11th consecutive month of growth. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion.

New orders, production and exports declined considerably, while imports posted a modest gain.

The numbers tell us that the slump in the U.S. housing sector has spread to other sectors of the economy.

With the bears running the show and economic fears coming to the forefront, investors are largely disregarding upbeat construction news.

Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq: RTLX), a provider of integrated enterprise-wide, open software, said today that net income for 2007 will be below the range previously anticipated and that the company’s chief operating officer, Avinoan Bloch, will step down.

For fiscal 2007, Retalix said it anticipates net income in the range of $6 million to $8 million on total revenues of roughly $222 million. Three analysts polled by Thomson Financial were on average forecasting sales of $229.15 million for the year.

The Israeli small cap attributed its lowered outlook for 2007 to three license deals which were expected to close by the end of the year, but did not due to incomplete sale cycles until the last day of the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter, Retalix said it expects to record a net loss or net income in the range of $1.1 million to profit of $0.9 million on revenues of around $56 million. Three analysts polled by Thomson Financial were on average forecasting sales of $62.67 million for the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead to 2008, the company said it anticipates total revenues for the full year to exceed $232 million and net income to exceed $15 million. Two analysts polled by Thomson Financial are on average projecting revenues of $250.84 million for 2008.

“Demand for our software solutions remains strong; [however] we are taking a conservative approach to our 2008 guidance,” Retalix’s CEO, Barry Shaked, said in a press release today.

Shares of Retalix (RTLX) were halted in pre-market trading.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures down and the small-cap index will open lower despite news of a larger-than-expected narrowing of the U.S. current account deficit.

The U.S. third-quarter current account deficit fell to $178.5 billion from a downwardly revised $188.9 billion in the second quarter, according to the Commerce Department. Economists were expecting to the deficit to shrink to $184 billion.

The current account is the sum of the balance of trade, net factor incomes and net transfer payments. The balance of trade is by far the most important component. Both government and private payments are included in the calculation.

Investors will also be paying attention to the National Association of Home Builders’ housing market index.

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

Biggest percentage gainers:

• KongZhong Corp. (KONG), up 15% on news of improved fourth-quarter revenue guidance.
• China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (CSUN), up 10% on news it has received strong initial results during commercial production of its selective emitter cells.
• Abington Bancorp, Inc. (ABBC), up 9%.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Retalix Ltd. (RTLX), down 6%.
• Dendreon Corp. (DNDN) down 5%.
• Vital Signs, Inc. (VITL) down 4%.

Software provider Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq: RTLX) this morning reported robust third-quarter results buoyed by new contracts above Wall Street’s estimates.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, the Israeli small-cap recorded net income of $4.6 million, or $0.23 per share, above the consensus of two analysts polled by Thomson of $0.18 per share. The company earned $0.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2006.

Total revenues climbed to $58.1 million, compared with $50.4 million in the third quarter of 2006. Three analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial were on average forecasting revenues of $57.78 million.

For the full 2007 year, the company commented that it expects total revenues to be above the midpoint of its guidance range with net income at the low end of the range through a few deals the company has in the works. Retalix stated that its unchanged business fundamentals coupled with strong demand for its products and long-term customer relationships support its estimates. Three analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial are projecting earnings of $0.77 per share on revenues of $228.62 million for the full year.

Shares of Retalix Shares (RTLX) were halted in pre-market trading.

Shares of Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq:RTLX) are falling ahead of the opening bell after the global provider of software solutions for retailers and distributors, reported results for the second quarter well below the Street.

For the three months ended June 30, 2007 the company recorded net income of $0.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, while two analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting earnings of $0.10 per share. Retalix booked a loss for the second quarter of 2006 of $1.4 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.

Total Revenues for the period were $55.5 million, compared to $45.9 million in the second quarter of 2006. Two analysts polled by Thomson Financial were anticipating revenues of $54.50 million.

Shares of Retalix fell $2.95, or 15.86%, to $15.65 just before the opening bell.

The stock price of Retalix Ltd. (Nasdaq: RTLX), which supplies software for retailers, fuel stations and foodservice organizations, has been rising like the price of gasoline at the beginning of a warm summer season.

Since the beginning of the year, its stock has risen 37%, from about $16 at the end of December to around $22 today. On May 21, Retalix announced earnings that handily beat analysts’ expectations, and the stock was pushed up nearly 8% in two days, from $20.80 to $22.40.

But don’t get too excited yet. Those numbers reflect a partial recovery from a dismal 2006. And a closer look at its most recent earnings statement suggests that it still isn’t fully back in the express lane.

Retalix started out as a supplier of software for point-of-sale (POS) systems for retailers. Its software is used in POS platforms from companies such as International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) and NCR Corp. (NYSE: NCR), although those companies also compete with Retalix with their own software. The Israel-based company sells products in more than 50 countries, and is operating in over 16,000 grocery stores in the United States and 42,000 worldwide. Its customers include The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), Costco Wholesale Corp. (Nasdaq: COST), Super-Sol Ltd. (Israel’s largest grocery retailer) and BP plc’s (NYSE: BP) chain of gas-and-convenience stores.

A couple years ago, Retalix started expanding into other software solutions for its niche markets. It made a couple acquisitions to move into back-office software to help manage inventories, customer relationships and supplier relationships, among other things. A warehouse management system, for example, is more efficient if it can easily synch up inventory numbers as POS terminals record a new sale.

The company is also helping to bring grocers into the Internet age. A Retalix subsidiary, StoreNext Retail Technologies, provides hosted electronic payment systems to independent grocers. In early May, StoreNext announced a collaboration with Earthlink, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELNK) subsidiary New Edge Networks, allowing StoreNext to resell New Edge’s broadband networking and internet services to North American grocery stores. 

Shares of Commerce, Calif.-based Innovo Group Inc. (Nasdaq: INNO) are down despite news this morning that the apparel products maker has entered into a three-year, exclusive distribution and non-exclusive license agreement with Itochu Corp. to distribute and license its Joe’s and Joe’s Jeans branded products in the Japanese market.  Itochu will be obligated to purchase a minimum of $20 million of Joe’s and Joe’s Jeans products for distribution, and will pay a license royalty of 6% of net sales of all bottoms and 5% of net sales of all tops for both men's and women's products.  Shares are down $0.02, or 2%, to $1.03.

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

Seattle-based Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTICD) has been granted a fast-track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its treatment of refractory indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the company announced this morning.  Shares are up $0.04, or 0.73%, to $5.50.