Tag - Smci

US Airways Group Inc. (Nasdaq:LCC), Central Jersey Bancorp (Nasdaq:CJBK) and Insight Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq:NSIT) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Rubicon Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:RBCN), Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. (Nasdaq:BGFV), InterOil Corp. (Nasdaq:IOC), Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM), Switch & Data Facilities Co Inc. (Nasdaq:SDXC) and Super Micro Computer Inc. (Nasdaq:SMCI).

Parlux Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:PARL), Super Micro Computer Inc. (NYSE:SMCI) and Thermadyne Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:THMD) are among the new 52-week highs in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Medifast Inc. (AMEX:MED), NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:NPSP), ENGlobal Corp. (Nasdaq:ENG), Atlas Acquisition Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:AXG), Starrett LS Co. (Nasdaq:SCX) and Highlands Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq:HIA).

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

Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMCI) and Silicon Motion Technology Corp. (Nasdaq:SIMO) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Salary.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:SLRY), Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN) and DemandTec, Inc. (Nasdaq:DMAN) are also among the most actively traded small-cap companies in pre-market trading.

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

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) jumped as investors reacted to news of a tech sector upgrade and a bullish earnings forecast from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). The small-cap index rose 9.04 points, or 1.29%, to 707.42, snapping a three-day losing streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 54.72 points, or 0.44%, to 12,581.98.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has let go 7.65%, while the Dow has declined 5.15% and the S&P 500 is missing 7.34%.

Small-cap stocks began the session with a brief dip into the red but quickly recovered as investors digested news before the opening that Wal-Mart raised its earnings estimate for the first quarter of fiscal 2009, partially due to strong sales of electronics.

The index moved into positive territory shortly before 10 a.m. ET and maintained those gains until the closing, reaching a session high of 710 just before 2 p.m. ET.

Also helping the bulls establish their dominance was news before the start of trading that the semiconductor sector has been upgraded by Banc of America Securities. The sector includes small-caps EMCORE Corp. (Nasdaq:EMKR) and San Jose, Calif.-based . . .

Shares of Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMCI) are crumbling after the developer of servers based on modular and open-standard x86 architecture lowered its fiscal third-quarter guidance after Wednesday’s close citing a decrease in the percentage of net sales from server solutions from the prior quarter, a delay in revenue from a significant project and increasing signs of oncoming economic weakness.

Shares sunk 17.5%, or $1.65, to $7.78 at 10:02 a.m. ET. For detailed price information and recent news stories about Super Micro Computer, click SMCI.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMCI)
San Jose, California
http://www.supermicro.com

52-week low / high: $8.17 / $11.85
Shares Outstanding: 41.84 million
Market Capitalization: $404.63 million

Servers are the backbone of the Internet. These workhorse computers serve up graphics, text and video to Web surfers around the world. San Jose, Calif.-based Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMCI) wants to make servers serve you faster.

The 14-year-old company makes high-performance, mission-critical motherboards and servers for its customers, who represent industries that include scientific research, enterprise IT and communications.

The company has been rapidly introducing new products. On Dec. 4, Super Micro released a smaller, low-noise server aimed at small and home-based offices. During November alone, the firm announced more than four new product lines and products. Its DP Xeon DDR2 Server/Workstation product line, unveiled on Nov. 13, uses low-heat technology to increase energy efficiency. On Nov. 12, Super Micro released a line of motherboards, servers and workstations using a new dual-processor system that delivers performance gains of more than 30%. The company has more than 3,500 products and sells them through more than 400 channel partners. In its first-quarter press release, the company said it has “seen a historical pattern of increased sales traction following the introduction of new products.”

The company held its initial public offering (IPO) in March. UBS and Merrill Lynch underwrote the eight-million share IPO.

During the recent first quarter fiscal year 2008, ended Sept. 30, Super Micro recorded net sales of $117.9 million, in line with the consensus analyst estimate and up 31% from $90.2 million a year earlier. The firm’s quarterly net income totaled $5.8 million, or $0.15 per share, up from $4.8 million, or $0.15 per share, during the same period of 2006. On average, Wall Street analysts projected first-quarter earnings of $0.13 per share.

Going forward, Super Micro said it expects second-quarter net sales in the range of $128 million to $135 million, compared to the consensus analyst estimate of $131 million. Analysts, on average, are calling for earnings of $0.18 per share.

Super Micro hasn’t been free of scandal. In September 2006, Super Micro pleaded guilty to shipping computer parts to Dubai, a violation of U.S. export laws. Super Micro was forced to play a $150,000 fine. The company has also been compared to Rackable Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: RACK), a Fremont, Calif.-based provider of energy-efficient servers. In September 2006, Rackable sued Super Micro, claiming that Super Micro’s products violated two of Rackable’s patents. The companies settled litigation in May and Super Micro said the settlement had no impact on its “business activities and financials.”

During an Oct. 31 conference call, CEO Charles Liang said the company expanded its employee base and is looking to add more production resources in order to meet demand.

“We are continuing to evaluate sites in Asia to expand our manufacturing and warehousing capacity in the near term, in order to reduce most production and logistic cost,” Liang said. “All of this is within our plan to grow our technical and operation capability and capacity to build a stronger foundation for our future growth while maintaining our financial discipline and growing our [shareholders’]value.”

Note: Super Micro (Nasdaq: SMCI) is on the “Watch List” of Rising Star Stocks, a subscription investment newsletter from Business Financial Publishing, which also publishes SmallCapInvestor.com. As a Watch List company, Super Micro displays many characteristics found in successful stock winners, and is being closely monitored for possible inclusion in the Rising Star Stocks portfolio at a later date.

Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq: VLTR) expects net revenue for the second quarter ending June 30, 2007 to be lower than previously forecasted, between $18.5 million to $19.5 million, and a net loss of between $0.04 per share and $0.07, the Fremont, Calif.-based company said after Tuesday’s close.  Analysts were looking for earnings of $0.11 per share.  The stock is down $1.33, or 9%, to $14.07.

Shares of Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMCI) are rising following news after Tuesday’s close that the San Jose-based server solutions company has launched a new product line called SuperBlade at an expo in Taipei, Taiwan.

Graham Corp. (AMEX: GHM) reported record earnings of $3.4 million, or $0.86 a share, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, up from $1 million, or $0.25 per share, in the year-ago period. The Batavia, N.Y.-based vacuum and heat transfer equipment maker reported fourth-quarter revenue of $20.8 million, up from $15.9 million a year earlier.

Sutron Corp. (Nasdaq: STRN) reported it received record bookings in May totaling $9.3 million. The Sterling, Va.-based hydrological, meteorological and oceanic data monitoring company announced a record $18.9 million in revenue for the first five months of 2007.

Senomyx Inc. (Nasdaq: SNMX) announced its first introduction of Nestle Co. food products containing senomyx flavor ingredients.

Rackable Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: RACK) shares are trading up after online options tracking services reported increased call option activity that may be an indicator of an acquisition offer coming or of further shareholder-friendly developments. Rackable was also mentioned on CNBC Tuesday morning as a potential takeover candidate.

Diamond Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: DMND) raised sales projections after Monday’s closing bell. The snack company announced Monday that revenue increased 43% to $97 million for the third quarter ended April 30, from $67.8 million a year earlier.

These are the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million:

Rackable Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: RACK) was mentioned on CNBC Tuesday morning as a potential takeover candidate.

Bear Stearns reportedly downgraded Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRMP) from “peer perform” to “underperform.”

After Monday’s closing bell, FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) reported sales of $11.4 million for the second quarter ended April 30, up from $9.5 million a year earlier. The Danbury, Conn.-based fuel cell maker recorded an $18.8 million loss, or $0.32 a share, compared with a net loss of $23.5 million, or $0.48 per share, in the year-ago period. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share loss of $0.37 on revenue of $8.4 million.

Penwest Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PPCO) got a bullish mention from MSNBC pundit Jim Cramer Monday night.

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