Tag - Sfi

Arca Biopharma Inc (Nasdaq:ABIO), Istar Financial Inc (Nasdaq:SFI), Western Refining Inc (Nasdaq:WNR) and China Information Security Technology Inc (Nasdaq:CPBY) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI), Biocryst Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:BCRX), Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd (Nasdaq:EXM), Petroquest Energy Inc (Nasdaq:PQ) and Teekay Tankers Ltd (Nasdaq:TNK).

Stocks continued Thursday's rally as investors reacted to news about the second quarter GDP number with the Nasdaq the exception.

 

The Dow closed up 16.93 to finish the week at 9,171.39; the Nasdaq finished down at 1,978.50, losing 5.80 points after showing gains for most of the day; and the S&P 500 close up 0.72 points to finish at 987.47.

 

Stocks in the Russell 2000 closed down 0.09 points to end at 557.71. 
 

Leading small-cap gainers include VirnetX Holding (AMEX:VHC) up 112%; Anadys Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ANDS) up 44%; Inovio Biomedical (AMEX:INO) up 38%; and Integra Bank (Nasdaq:IBNK) up 34%.

 

Small-cap decliners were lead by notebook computer parts maker Synaptics (Nasdaq:SYNA) down 33% on news that the firm had disclosed fiscal 2010 growth will be slower than expected. Analysts immediately downgraded the stock driving prices down immediately at the open.

 

Other small-cap decliners include iStar Financial (NYSE:SFI) down 19%; Ariad Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ARIA) down 18%; and YRC Worldwide (Nasdaq:YRCW) down 17%.

*****Today was the big one. Say what you want about yesterday's rally, the reaction to this morning's 2Q GDP number should be expected to influence trading going forward.  

Now, I'm going to let TradeMaster Jason Cimpl's morning commentary to his traders provide the in-depth analysis to the GDP number:  

Second quarter annualized rate GDP was reported at -1.0%, compared to the consensus of -1.5%.  

First quarter GDP was revised lower to a 6.4% decline from the previous reading of a decline of 5.5%. Personal consumption fell 1.2% (the consensus had been 0.5%). 
This market might be crazy enough to ignore the downward revision from the previous quarter, but how can they possibly brush off that personal consumption reading? 
Personal consumption is the largest portion of GDP. This number should have investors concerned. 

Volume numbers today will be a big tell if the street really likes the GDP figures. At the end of the day, GDP is a lagging indicator, so don't expect that today is the game changer. 

Thanks, Jason. 

He's got his Friday video online where he'll do a quick recap of the market for the week and more importantly, provide guidance on market direction and action for the coming week. Click here to watch Jason's video analysis.

*****Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) CEO Josef Ackerman says "The crisis is not over." He told Bloomberg that "[b]ad loans are the next wave. Banks that have fared relatively well so far will also be affected by this." 

As evidence, problem loans at Deutsche Bank rose 44% on the last quarter. Deutsche Banks has raised its loss reserves to $1.4 billion and also reduced its balance sheet and risk-taking.  

*****I continue to view oil as a critical leading indicator for global economic recovery. So long as oil prices remain strong, investors are clearly ignoring current demand statistics and focusing instead on future demand and slack production growth.  
For instance, Europe's third largest oil company, Total SA (NYSE:TOT) reported that production fell 7.3% in its 2nd quarter. That puts Total's production back to year 2000 levels.  

The reason is obvious: demand is down, and Total, like most oil companies, is cutting back on investment in new production because prices are down.  

Despite a slight rise in production, Chevron (NYSE:CVX) reported a 51% drop in revenues. It would seem likely that the revenue shortfall will affect Chevron's investments in new production, too.

The big question, though, is if investors will shift their focus to current demand numbers. At some point, declining profitability and continuing economic weakness should bring oil prices down.

*****It's pretty clear now that trends like weak GDP, weak demand for oil, rising unemployment we've seen emerging from the financial crisis and recovery will be with us for a long time.

Clearly, these conditions will have a profound effect on your investments in the months and years ahead.

And because many of these conditions are a direct result of government bailouts, I'm calling the condition Managed America.

We're hosting a video conference to look forward to investing strategies for the remainder of 2009 and beyond, and to explore my concept of Managed America and how you can still make profitable investments. The U.S. economy has changed and investors need to understand the changes in order to make the best investments.

The Managed America video conference will air on August 10, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. You can register for this important event when you click HERE.

Best Regards,

Ian Wyatt
Editor
Daily Profit

 

 

Small caps have plunged over 6% this afternoon, as recession fears have gripped stocks. Already concerned about still frozen credit piping, a slew of lackluster economic data and a sobering speech by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanki only served to push the market lower. Small-cap gainers today include Trina Solar (NYSE:TSL), BankAtlantic (NYSE:BBX) and China Mass Media (NYSE:CMM). Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Looking at the chart picture for small caps, the market appears to be consolidating after a breathtaking bounce off the lows.
• Sectors bucking the decline were few and far between, but soft drink makers, airlines and biotechs attracted some buyers.
• Other sectors on the decline included construction and farm machinery and consumer finance.
• Commodity themes slid early today, with metal and mining stocks, coal, oil and gas drillers, steel, oil exploration and aluminum all taking a hit.
• The NY Manufacturing Survey is down 24.6% to the lowest reading in some seven years, adding to the bleak tone from the retail sales figure. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Trina Solar (NYSE:TSL) jumps 16% after raising third-quarter revenue guidance and reaffirmed full year guidance.
• BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:BBX) up 8.53% as regional banks are seeing a boost today.
• China Mass Media Intl Adv Corp. (NYSE:CMM) up nearly 7.25% on light volume.

Small Cap Losers:

• iStar Financial's (NYSE:SFI) shares tumble 30%. Last week Fitch gave a negative outlook on the small cap.
• Callaway Golf (Nasdaq:CDNS) slips 16% after Stephens Inc. analyst cut earnings estimates for companies in the sports and leisure sector.
• Jones Apparel (NYSE:JNY) shares tumble 25% to lowest level since 1995, after the retailer cut its forecast on soft consumer spending.

Cadence Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:CADX), Zones Inc (Nasdaq:ZONS) and PharmaNet Development Group Inc (Nasdaq:PDGI) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Famous Daves of America Inc (Nasdaq:DAVE), MasTec Inc (Nasdaq:MTZ), Richardson Electronics (Nasdaq:RELL), LHC Group Inc (Nasdaq:LHCG), iStar Financial (Nasdaq:SFI) and Dawson Geophysical Co (Nasdaq:DWSN).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

TechTarget Inc (Nasdaq:TTGT), Sturm Ruger & Co Inc (Nasdaq:RGR) and Benchmark Electronics Inc (Nasdaq:BHE) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: FirstFed Financial Corp (Nasdaq:FED), iStar Financial (Nasdaq:SFI), Gencor Industries Inc (Nasdaq:GENC), MKS Instruments Inc (Nasdaq:MKSI), Chipotle Mexican Grill (Nasdaq:CMG) and Consolidated Graphics Inc (Nasdaq:CGX).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

After a rocky morning for small caps, stocks edged higher, lifted by plunging crude prices and gains in consumer and retail companies. At 12:46 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 8.85, or 1.27%, at 706.48.

The price of crude oil sank $5 per barrel to $126 at mid-session to a six-week low. Weather forecasts predicted Tropical Storm Dolly will likely miss oil fields and refineries along the Gulf Coast. Previous reports warned the storm would come close to the area, possibly disrupting oil production.

Airline companies jumped on the news with Continental Airlines Inc. (NYSE:CAL) and JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) soaring more than 20% as the fuel costs showed the first signs of decreasing.

Financial stocks took a hit today after the Congressional Budget Office said it could cost the government as much as $25 billion to help troubled Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE). Congress will vote this week on whether Fannie and Freddie will receive government assistance. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said today that action must be taken to boost consumer confidence while strengthening the housing market.

Mortgage losses brought down Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB), which posted an unexpected second-quarter loss today of $8.9 billion and announced plans to eliminate 6,350 workers. Investors took solace in the fact that $6.1 billion of that was from a goodwill impairment charge.

Among broad market sectors on the rise are airline transportation; recreational activities; accident and health insurance; and home improvement retailers. Heading downward are coal; oil and gas operations; computer hardware; and computer storage devices.

Small caps leading the pack include Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE:BXG), which is up 90% today’s trading after announcing ahead of the opening its plans . . .

iStar Financial Inc. (NYSE:SFI) is off 15% today after analysts at UBS downgraded the commercial real estate finance company to “sell” from “buy.” The news comes after the New York City-based company was downgraded last week at Moody’s Investors Service to “Baa3” from “Baa2.” During the past 52 weeks, shares have ranged from today’s low of $6.36 to a high of $42.03. The stock is down 74% since January. In today’s trading, shares are at $6.91 at 10:39 a.m. ET, down $1.18 from Monday’s close.

Arthrocare Corp (Nasdaq:ARTC), United Community Bancorp (Nasdaq:UCBA) and Northern States Financial Corp (Nasdaq:NSFC) are among the new 52-week lows in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Courier Corp (Nasdaq:CRRC), ValueClick Inc (Nasdaq:VCLK), iStar Financial Inc (Nasdaq:SFI), Tejon Ranch Corp (Nasdaq:TRC), Apex Bioventures Acquisition Units (Nasdaq:PEX.U) and Lincoln Bancorp (Nasdaq:LNCB).

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