Tag - Sqnm

Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (Nasdaq:EGLE), Honanian Enterprises Inc (Nasdaq:HOV) and Petroquest Energy Inc (Nasdaq:PQ) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc (Nasdaq:BEE), Hot Topic Inc (Nasdaq:HOTT), Western Refining Inc (Nasdaq:WNR), Somaxon Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:SOMX) and Beazer Homes USA Inc (Nasdaq:BZH).

Callon Pete Co (Nasdaq:CPE), Sequnom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Hot Topic Inc (Nasdaq:HOTT) and Orexigen Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:HOTT) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Beazer Homes USA Inc (Nasdaq:BZH), GMX Res Inc (Nasdaq:GMXR), Somancon Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:SOMX), China Agritech Inc (Nasdaq: CAGC) and Air Trasport Services Group Inc (Nasdaq:ATSG).

Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), China Information Security Technology Inc (Nasdaq:CPBY), Solarfun Power Holdings (Nasdaq:SOLF) and Houston Power Holdings Co (Nasdaq:HUSA) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (Nasdaq:EGLE), Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc (Nasdaq:BEE), Callon Pete Co (Nasdaq:CPE), Wabash National Corp (Nasdaq:WNC) and Republic Airways Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:RJET).

Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), White Electric Designs (Nasdaq:WEDC), ArcaBiopharma Inc (Nasdaq:ABIO) and Bell MicroProducts Inc (Nasdaq:BELM) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Somaxon Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:SOMX), Alliance One International Inc (Nasdaq:AOI), SolarFun Power Holdings Co (Nasdaq:SOLF), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (Nasdaq:EGLE) and Callon Pete Co (Nasdaq:CPE).

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:SOMX), Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI), and Techwell Inc (Nasdaq:TWLL) and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (Nasdaq:EGLE) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (Nasdaq:EGLE) Felcor Lodging TR Inc (Nasdaq:FCH), Dragonwave Inc (Nasdaq:DRWI), Western Refining Inc (Nasdaq:WNR), and Xenoport Inc (Nasdaq:).

Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Palm Inc (Nasdaq:PALM), Mannkind (Nasdaq:MKND) and Biotime Inc (Nasdaq:BTIM) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: STEC Inc (Nasdaq:STEC), Sonic Corp (Nasdaq:SONC), Oriental Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:OFG), PDL BioPharmaceutical Inc (Nasdaq:PDLI) and Sterling Bancorp (Nasdaq:STL).

Fuqi International Inc (Nasdaq:FUQI), Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Exide Technologies (Nasdaq:XIDE) and Energy Conversion Devices Inc (Nasdaq:ENER) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

 

Also included among the results: China Agritech Inc (Nasdaq:CACG), Virntex Holding Corp (Nasdaq:VHC), Chordiant Software Inc (Nasdaq:CHRD), Medivation Inc (Nasdaq:MDVN) and First Industrial Realty Trust (Nasdaq:FR).

Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Palm Inc New (Nasdaq:PALM), Mannkind Corp (Nasdaq:MNKD) and Biotime Inc (Nasdaq:BTIM) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Sonic Corp (Nasdaq:SONC), Oriental Financial Group Inc (Nasdaq:OFG), PDL BioPharmaceutical Inc (Nasdaq:PDLI), Sterling Bancorp (Nasdaq:STL) and Pioneer Drilling Co (Nasdaq:PDC).

 

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">Sequenom Inc </span></strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">(Nasdaq:SQNM),<strong style=""> Movado Group Inc </strong>(Nasdaq:MOV),<strong style=""> China Agritech Inc </strong>(Nasdaq:CAGC) and<strong> Isramco Inc </strong>(Nasdaq:ISRL) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.<o:p> <br /> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">Also included among the results:<strong> DSW Inc </strong>(Nasdaq:DSW),<strong style=""> HQ Sustainable Maritime Industries Inc </strong>(Nasdaq:HQS),<strong style=""> Shengkai Innovations Inc </strong>(Nasdaq:SHE),<strong style=""> Sterling Construction Co Inc </strong>(Nasdaq:STRL) and<strong style=""> Stonemor Partners LP </strong>(Nasdaq:STON).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

Allos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTH), Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq:AMED) and Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Vical Inc. (Nasdaq:VICL), China Natural Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:CHNG), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX) and Sanmina-SCI Corp. (Nasdaq:SANMD).

Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), ADC Telecommunications Inc. (Nasdaq:ADCT) and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), ImmunoGen Inc. (Nasdaq:IMGN), Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq:TKTM), GeoResources Inc. (Nasdaq:GEOI), Zion Oild and Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:ZN) and Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX).

Builders FirstSource Inc. (Nasdaq:BLDR), China Medical Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:CMED) and Books-A-Million Inc. (Nasdaq:BAMM) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), CPI Corp. (Nasdaq:CPY), Benihana National Corp. (Nasdaq:BNHNA), Female Health Co. (Nasdaq:FHCO), Facet Biotech Corp. (Nasdaq:FACT) and SIGA Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGA).

Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) and Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI), China Medical Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:CMED), CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT), Immunomedics Inc. (Nasdaq:IMMU), Brigham Exploration Co. (Nasdaq:BEXP) and Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SVNT).

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (Nasdaq:SVA), Bon-Ton Stores Inc. (Nasdaq:BONT) and Trubion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:TRBN) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Exponent Inc. (Nasdaq:EXPO), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), RPC Inc. (Nasdaq:RES), Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq:SNIC), Saga Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:SGA) and Encore Wire Corp. (Nasdaq:WIRE).

Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), Trubion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:TRBN) and Immunomedics Inc. (Nasdaq:IMMU) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), POZEN Inc. (Nasdaq:POZN), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) and Encore Wire Corp. (Nasdaq:WIRE).

Allos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTH), Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX) and OmniVision Technologies Inc.(Nasdaq:OVTI) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Immunomedics Inc. (Nasdaq:IMMU), Aruba Networks Inc. (Nasdaq:ARUN), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ).

Nymox Pharmaceutical Corporation (Nasdaq:NYMX), CardioNet Inc (Nasdaq:BEAT) and Bon-Ton Stores Inc (Nasdaq:BONT) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Novavax Inc (Nasdaq:NVAX), Blue Coat Systems Inc (Nasdaq:BCSI), Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Hovnanian Enterprises Inc (Nasdaq:HOV), First Bancshares Inc (Nasdaq:FBSI) and ICT Group Inc (Nasdaq:ICTG).

Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN), Kirklands Inc. (Nasdaq:KIRK), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX) and UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA).

Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. (Nasdaq:CHIC), MSC Software Corp. (Nasdaq:MSCS) and Electro-Optical Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:MELA) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN), Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX), Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:SWHC), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR).

GSI Commerce Inc. (Nasdaq:GSIC), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX) and ADC Telecommunications Inc. (Nasdaq:ADCT) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Crocs Inc. (Nasdaq:CROX), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:JAZZ), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), China Housing & Land Development Inc. (Nasdaq:CHLN) and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE).

American Capital Agency Corp. (Nasdaq:AGNC), China Medical Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:CMED) and Telestone Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq:TSTC) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Tongxin International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TXIC), RINO International Corp. (Nasdaq:RINO), Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) and Oncothyreon Inc. (Nasdaq:ONTY).

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Crocs Inc. (Nasdaq:CROX) and Oncothyreon Inc. (Nasdaq:ONTY) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), Mellanox Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:MLNX), LogMeIn Inc. (Nasdaq:LOGM), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), Echelon Corp. (Nasdaq:ELON) and China Fire & Security Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CFSG).

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Targa Resources Partners LP (Nasdaq:NGLS) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Univest Corp of Pennsylvania (Nasdaq:UVSP), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), Knot Inc. (Nasdaq:KNOT), Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN), Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF).

Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), EnerNOC Inc. (Nasdaq:ENOC) and Orthovita Inc. (Nasdaq:VITA) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Columbia Banking System Inc. (Nasdaq:COLB), Novavax Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX), CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) and Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM).

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), EarthLink Inc. (Nasdaq:ELNK) and MannKind Corp. (Nasdaq:MNKD) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. (Nasdaq:PFCB), Oncothyreon Inc. (Nasdaq:ONTY), UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN), GT Solar International Inc. (Nasdaq:SOLR) and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE).

Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Nasdaq:HURN), Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SVNT) and Synaptics Inc. (Nasdaq:SYNA) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Verigy Ltd. (Nasdaq:VRGY), James River Coal Co. (Nasdaq:JRCC), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SPPI), ImmunoGen Inc. (Nasdaq:IMGN) and Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX).

CenterState Banks Inc. (Nasdaq:CSFL), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) and THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Micromet Inc. (Nasdaq:MITI), Cathay General Bancorp (Nasdaq:CATY), KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. (Nasdaq:KPPC), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), Harbin Electric Inc. (Nasdaq:HRBN) and Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ENER).

ViroPharma Inc. (Nasdaq:VPHM), P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. (Nasdaq:PFCB) and Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Exelixis Inc. (Nasdaq:EXEL), Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:JAZZ), CardioNet Inc. (Nasdaq:BEAT), JAKKS Pacific Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK), Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ENER) and THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI).

Old National Bancorp (Nasdaq:ONB), LNB Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:LNBB) and Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX), Webster Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:WBS), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), First Commonwealth Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:FCF), AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED) and Hadera Paper Ltd. (Nasdaq:AIP).

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO) and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) are among the most actively traded companies in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Changyou.com Ltd. (Nasdaq:CYOU), Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ENER), China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) and Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF).

Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:RIGL), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) and Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ENER) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT), Changyou.com Ltd. (Nasdaq:CYOU), Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX) and SonicWALL Inc. (Nasdaq:SNWL).

Interest rate concerns and inflation worries put pressure on stocks today after the government's sale of $19 billion had a harder than usual time getting buyers. Investors seem concerned about the government's growing debt and that it could spur higher inflation and interest rates.

The Dow lost 24.04 points to close at 8,739.02; the Nasdaq shed 7.05 points to end the trading session at 1,853.08; and the S&P was down 3.28 points for 939.15.

Stocks comprising the Russell 2000, comprised of the 2,000 largest small-cap stocks, brought the index down to 523.41 on a loss of 4.52 points.

Today's small-cap gainers were lead by communications firm Atlantic Tele-Network (Nasdaq:ATNI) up 42.29% at $37.92. ATNI was up on news from yesterday's announcement to acquire wireless assets from Vodaphone (NYSE:VOD) and Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ). Primarily doing business in the Caribbean, ATNI now picks up nearly a million wireless subscribers in the U.S. southeast and Illinois and Ohio. Because of regulatory requirements on Verizon to sell off some subscribers as part of its deal with Alltell, ATNI is substantially changed from a small operator overseas to a real player in the U.S. market.

Other small-cap leaders include one of yesterday's leaders, Satyam Computer Services (NYSE:SAY) up 35.7% after being rated "overweight" by an analyst from JP Morgan; American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:AXL), another of yesterday's leaders, up 25.7%; and Corel Corp. (Nasdaq:CREL) up 34.75%.

Decliners were lead by NCI Building Systems (NYSE:NCS) down 26.1% on worries over its reports of larger than expected Q2 losses. Shares were going for $3.16 at market close, down from an opening price of $3.80.

Other small-cap decliners include one of yesterday's leading gainers, Sequenom (Nasdaq:SQNM). Yesterday SQNM lead small-cap gainers with a 45.97% gain but today lead decliners by shedding 22.83% of its opening price to close at $4.09. And after shedding 20.17% off its price yesterday, Quiksilver (NYSE:ZQK) saw shares drop another 12.71%. So far this week investors holding shares in Quiksilver have endured a total loss of 27% since Friday's close.

*****"The worst is to come…"

That's what MetLife's (NYSE:MET) Chief Investment Officer Stephen Kandarian told Bloomberg this morning.

He was talking about commercial mortgage defaults. He notes that "[t]ypically there's a lag between when the economy softens and when the defaults actually occur."

Bloomberg also cites a study from Real Estate Econometrics LLC that forecasts default rates for commercial real estate may hit 4.1% by the end of the year.

What does commercial real estate have to do with an insurance company? Plenty…

*****Insurance companies take in cash in the form of the premiums we pay. They then invest that money in order to pay off claims down the road. As their investment returns compound, they profit.

But when their investments lose money, trouble starts. And trouble is exacerbated when insurance companies sell guaranteed returns to investors in the form of annuities.

The promise of annuities forces insurance companies to seek riskier investments to boost their returns. And many have turned to mortgage-backed securities to make more money.

Whoops.

*****MetLife has a $300 billion investment portfolio. That portfolio lost 23% in the first quarter of this year. Mr. Kandarian freely admits he's looking for higher returns to make up the losses. And he's looking at adding securities backed by commercial mortgages, in addition to continuing to originate loans to the commercial real estate sector.

It reminds me of the gambler, who after suffering a big loss, decides to start doubling down and taking more risks to win his money back. It usually doesn't end well.

Of course, what he should do is simply step away from the table. But MetLife and other insurers can't -- they have to make money to meet their obligations. It's not a sure thing, but I can imagine it ending poorly for some insurance companies.

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) and China Sunergy Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:CSUN) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AgFeed Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:FEED), Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq:CENX), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. (Nasdaq:TQNT), Fuqi International Inc. (Nasdaq:FUQI) and Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ).

As of press time, 4:00 P.M. Eastern, stocks on the broader indices were up. The Dow was down 2.49 points to 8,762, the Nasdaq up 17.73 points to 1,860.13, and the S&P 500 was up 3.22 points to 942.42.

The Russell 2000, the index tracking the 2,000 largest small cap stocks, was up 4.02 points, or 0.77%, to 528.57.

Leading today's small cap gainers was Sequenom (Nasdaq:SQNM) up 45.97%. Sequenom provides genetic analysis products for biomedical research, molecular medicine, and non-invasive prenatal testing. As I've been saying for the past couple weeks, the sector rotation to defensive stocks like biotech and healthcare has started.

Other small caps showing leadership today include Spreadtrum Communications (Nasdaq:SPRD) up 23.76%; Satyam Computer Services (NYSE:SAY) up 34.93% on surprising the market with profits from the December quarter; Movado Group (NYSE:MOV) up 25.8%; and American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:AXL) up 22.45% after having broken through it's 200 day moving average for the second time since over a year ago and despite reporting that it will encounter production shutdowns due to the bankruptcy proceedings of General Motors (OTC:GMGMQ.PK) and Chrysler.

Showing the wrong kind of leadership in today's session-that is, the biggest decliner-was youth fashion creator Quiksilver (NYSE:ZQK) shedding 20.17% off it's opening price to be at $2.88 at press time. Shares dropped precipitously after it was announced that Quiksilver's profit was a penny shy of analysts' estimates.

Other stocks with investors seeing red today include LCA-Vision (Nasdaq:LCAV), provider of LasikPlus, down 14.11%; famed golf equipment maker Callaway Golf (NYSE:ELY) down 15.8% on news of it's dividend cut from 7 cents per share to just one cent per share; CBL & Associates Properties (NYSE:CBL) down 12.8% after releasing its full year outlook below consensus expectations and announcing an offering of 50 million shares of common stock.

*****Bravo. The government's handling of the financial crisis and recovery should be recognized as a masterful performance. At least, so long as you don't look too deeply into the numbers…

Bernanke and Co. have managed to restore confidence to the point that economist Paul Krugman has joined the ranks of those who think we are only a couple months away from actual GDP growth.

And they've accomplished this remarkable feat by stringing investors along with one carrot after another…

*****The first carrot was bailouts and stimulus packages. There was a time when stimulus spending was going to save or create 3.5 million jobs. Now, states are wondering where the stimulus money is. And the president is now promising 600,000 jobs will be created by stimulus spending.

But layoffs have slowed considerably according to the most recent non-farm payroll report. And Americans, feeling more secure in their jobs, may not notice that stimulus jobs won't be there, even if they need them.

*****The Public-Private Investment Program (PPIP) was supposed to remove toxic assets from bank balance sheets. Never mind that the banks probably never had any intention of selling at fire-sale prices and investors weren't thrilled with paying unreasonable prices, no matter how much of the transaction would be funded by the Treasury.

Geithner's "stress tests" resulted in banks raising their capital bases. That has helped remove the incentive to dump those toxic assets. 

And as for the $74 billion banks have raised so far, do not misunderstand all the talk of "green shoots". These green shoots were not economic recovery per se. Rather, the green shoots were the banks stock prices shooting higher after accounting rule changes allowed them to show a profit where there was none.

In other words, the economic recovery is something akin to an illusion -- those inflated stock prices have allowed the banks to raise enough capital to appear healthy and last a little while longer…

*****Now that investors have breathed a sigh of relief that the problems with the auto industry are being resolved, the Chrysler sale to Fiat has been put on hold. Funny, I would swear a couple weeks ago, Chrysler would go bankrupt and millions would lose their job if Fiat didn't buy Chrysler right away.

*****And then there's TARP - the $700 billion boondoggle. Some banks have been asking to repay the money for months. But ever-sensitive to the all-important timing element of a good comedy, the Treasury has been unwilling to accept payment.

After all, why spoil the party by letting all the good news out at once? Why not wait until the rally is looking weak to release the news that, hey, maybe we'll accept TARP repayments after all? And maybe those payments will be more than anyone expects?

But let's make sure we string the announcement out as long as possible and let the threat of good news keep the bears at bay…

*****Of course, you can only fool all of the people for a while. Eventually, without a real pickup in economic activity, the millions of Americans who are barely keeping their head above water will sink. And then all the issues the "stress tests" glossed over (higher unemployment, rising foreclosure rate, etc.) will cripple the banks once again.

As economist Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University recently told Bloomberg: "There's a chance that it might work...If it does, then they'll look like the brilliant general. But all these efforts also bank on the economy recovering and housing prices not falling too much further. Those are not safe assumptions."

P.S. I normally don't like to be the guy who says "I told you so", but for today I will. Back when the PPIP was first floated by the Treasury my diligent research in my Top Stock Insights advisory service spotted three stocks that would profit big time if the PPIP went through and profit modestly even if it did not. We did it. In a matter of weeks - not months or years - we profited on Legg Mason (NYSE:LM) for 8.16%, BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) for 9.1%, and AllianceBernstein (NYSE:AB) for 12.77%. Top Stock Insights readers booked these gains DESPITE the collapse of Geithner's PPIP plan. To find out how you can see steady and consistent gains no matter what happens, check out Top Stock Insights at http://www.topstockinsights.com/.

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS) and UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE), FormFactor Inc. (Nasdaq:FORM), GSI Commerce Inc. (Nasdaq:GSIC), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and Methanex Corp. (Nasdaq:MEOH).

STEC Inc. (Nasdaq:STEC), Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) and Hibbett Sports Inc. (Nasdaq:HIBB) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), GMX Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:GMXR), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Harbin Electric Inc. (Nasdaq:HRBN), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT) and DrdGold ADR (Nasdaq:DROOY).


Also included among the results: UAL Corp. (Nasdaq:UAUA), GMX Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:GMXR), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Harbin Electric Inc. (Nasdaq:HRBN), Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT) and DrdGold ADR (Nasdaq:DROOY).

Computer Programs And Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CPSI), Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS) and Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) 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), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI), LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq:LHCG), Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOTT), GMX Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:GMXR) and Zions Bancorp (Nasdaq:ZION).

PSS World Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:PSSI), Geron Corp. (Nasdaq:GERN) and Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Texas Roadhouse Inc. (Nasdaq:TXRH), Starent Networks Corp. (Nasdaq:STAR), American Medical Systems Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:AMMD), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), TBS International Ltd. (Nasdaq:TBSI) and FreightCar America Inc. (Nasdaq:RAIL).

Small-cap stocks went into a tailspin on the opening, with worries about the banking sector combining with slumping retail sales to spark a flight away from equities. Some of today’s small-cap gainers were YRC Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:YRCW) and Sequenom (Nasdaq:SQNM).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Copper tumbled 5% on the opening, yet another worry sign for the economy as copper is a key component in construction.  
• Traders say that concerns over the appointment of Timothy Geithner to Treasury Secretary has played into the overall market malaise.  
• Earlier this morning the import price series tumbled 4.2%, well below the forecast for a drop of 0.5%.  
• Within the economic data news, business inventories came in at minus 0.7%, slightly below the forecast for a drop of 0.5%.

Small Cap Gainers:

• YRC Worldwide Inc. up 10.3% in pre-market today, paring some of the losses the stock saw earlier this week after it was downgraded late last week. See (Nasdaq:YRCW).
• Sequenom up 3% in pre-market after commencing an exchange offer to acquire EXACT Sciences. See (Nasdaq:SQNM).  

Small Cap Losers:

• Under Armour Inc. announced preliminary results that were sloppy and UA’s stock took a 15% hit early this morning. See (NYSE:UA).  
• Biopharmaceutical company Crucell N.V. down 5.7% in pre-market on very light volume. See (Nasdaq:CRXL).  
• ZymoGenetics, Inc. down 4.3% in pre-market, giving back some of the huge losses the stock clocked on Tuesday. See (Nasdaq:ZGEN).

Zhongpin Inc. (Nasdaq:HOGS), Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq:DAKT) and Harbin Electric Inc. (Nasdaq:HRBN) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: ViewPoint Financial Group (Nasdaq:VPFG), Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Focus Media Holding Ltd. (Nasdaq:FMCN), Ciena Corp. (Nasdaq:CIEN) and American Capital Agency Corp. (Nasdaq:AGNC).

After opening higher on the government’s plan to ease going concerns surrounding Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE), small caps came under pressure 30 minutes into the session and remain submerged midday, as apprehension concerning the financial sector took the forefront.

At 1:23 p.m. ET., the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) skidded 11.29, or 1.67%, to 663.66, while the Dow lost 58.54, or 0.53%, to 11,042.

In an effort to restore confidence in the nation’s largest mortgage insurers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve devised a plan over the weekend in which an increase in a treasury line of credit would be extended temporarily. Additionally, as part of the plan the Fed would take on a consultant role. After both mortgage giants saw their share prices lopped off by some 45% last week, midday, Fannie shares were off a slight 2.44% midday, while Freddie stock has reversed course to slip 4.65%. 

However, the plan constructed to pacify an otherwise panicked market soon gave way to concerns about the government’s ability to battle further financial debacles. Investors worry how many potentially more innovative or practical backstops the government has up its sleeve. 

The plan comes on the heels of IndyMac’s (NYSE:IMB) failure on Friday. IndyMac was repossessed by the federal regulators after one of the largest thrift/mortgage banks failed to cover a run by depositors, becoming the third largest banking failure in U.S. history.

In corporate news, the nation’s largest brewer Anheuser-Busch Co. (NYSE:BUD) said that it will embrace a takeover from Belgian brewer InBev NV for approximately $52 billion, one of the few positive market indicators of the day. Merger activity typically creates bullish momentum among investors, as seen in the wake of the booming deal days of 2007. If there are deals in the making among large caps, . . .

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) is up more than 7% to a 52-week high in today’s trading after Lazard Capital raised its price target to $26 from $20. The genetics and molecular diagnostic company, which is based in San Diego, expects to market its Down’s syndrome test directly in the United States without a partner. The test may produce more accurate results than hormone tests.

During the past 52-weeks, shares of Sequenom have ranged from $4.25 to today’s high of $19.70. In today’s trading, Sequenom is at $19.59 at 11:48 a.m. ET on below-average volume, up $1.39 from Friday’s close.

Circor International Inc (Nasdaq:CIR), Almost Family Inc (Nasdaq:AFAM) and Cyberonics Inc (Nasdaq:CYBX) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

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

Medivation Inc (Nasdaq:MDVN), Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd (Nasdaq:SOLF) and Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Canadian Solar Inc (Nasdaq:CSIQ), ViroPharma Inc (Nasdaq:VPHM), Given Imaging Ltd (Nasdaq:GIVN), True Religion Apparel Inc (Nasdaq:TRLG), Quest Energy Partners L P (Nasdaq:QELP) and RAM Energy Resources Inc (Nasdaq:RAME).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (AMEX:PAX) are among the new 52-week highs in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

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

Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Challenger Energy Corp (Nasdaq:CHQ) and AeroVironment Inc (Nasdaq:AVAV) are among the new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

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

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM) said early Wednesday it has launched its iSEQ application software, which is directed toward the infectious-disease market. Sequenom, a genetics and molecular diagnostic company, said the application allows for the identification of microbes and viruses along with human disease molecular markers. Shares of San Diego-based Sequenom rose more than 6% to a high for the year of $17.52.

Infinera Corp (Nasdaq:INFN), China Precision Steel Inc (Nasdaq:CPSL) and Akeena Solar Inc (Nasdaq:AKNS) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: UAL Corp (Nasdaq:UAUA), Titan Machinery Inc (Nasdaq:TITN), Ascent Solar Technologies Inc (Nasdaq:ASTI), A Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd (Nasdaq:APWR), Tercica Inc (Nasdaq:TRCA) and Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM), Intersections Inc (Nasdaq:INTX) and Superior Well Services Inc (Nasdaq:SWSI) are among the new 52-week highs in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Houston American Energy Corp (Nasdaq:HUSA), Innophos Holdings Inc (Nasdaq:IPHS), Balchem Corp (Nasdaq:BCPC), Digimarc Corp (Nasdaq:DMRC), Tailwind Financial Inc (Nasdaq:TNF) and NCI Inc (Nasdaq:NCIT).

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

BioSante Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:BPAX), Asta Funding Inc (Nasdaq:ASFI) and Perfect World Co Ltd (Nasdaq:PWRD) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Great Florida Bank (Nasdaq:GFLB), Western Refining Inc (Nasdaq:WNR), Lumber Liquidators Inc (Nasdaq:LL), Ambac Financial Group (Nasdaq:AKT), Sequenom Inc (Nasdaq:SQNM) and LaBranche & Co Inc (Nasdaq:LAB).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps: