Tag - Swir

DryShips Inc. (Nasdaq:DRYS), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) and Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAG), James River Coal Co. (Nasdaq:JRCC), Applied Micro Circuits Corp. (Nasdaq:AMCC), Acme Packet Inc. (Nasdaq:APKT), S1 Corp. (Nasdaq:SONE) and Force Protection Inc. (Nasdaq:FRPT).

Berry Petroleum Co. (Nasdaq:BRY), GMX Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:GMXR) and Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR) are among the new 52-week lows in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Layne Christensen Co. (Nasdaq:LAYN), Movado Group Inc. (Nasdaq:MOV), Swift Energy Co. (Nasdaq:SFY), Corus Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq:CJR), Atwood Oceanics Inc. (Nasdaq:ATW) and Mariner Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:ME).

OmniVision Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:OVTI), SAVVIS Inc. (Nasdaq:SVVS) and Hercules Offshore Inc. (Nasdaq:HERO) are among the most actively traded companies in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Ares Capital Corp. (Nasdaq:ARCC), XenoPort Inc. (Nasdaq:XNPT), Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR), Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. (Nasdaq:CRZO), EnerNOC Inc. (Nasdaq:ENOC) and Tessera Technologies (Nasdaq:TSRA).

Optimism for a $25 billion aid package for embattled U.S. carmakers may have played a supportive role in the rally action today, with the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closing up nearly 6%. Some of today’s small-cap gainers are Future Canada China Environment (OBB:FCCE), Newstar Financial (Nasdaq:NEWS) and Standard Register (NYSE:SR).

Other Market Watch highlights today included:

• Commodity markets stabilized Tuesday morning, which was a big relief after crude oil collapsed 9% Monday.
• Optimism for a $25 billion aid package for embattled U.S. carmakers may have played a supportive role in the action today.
• Financial stocks were among the top performers today, with the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund up 5%. 
• Homebuilder shares were surprisingly stout, with the ISE Homebuilder Index climbing 7.5%. 
• Drug stocks, banks, airlines and insurance companies also were strong performers today.
• Crude oil prices fell $2.32 a barrel, or 4.7% to $46.96. 

Small Cap Gainers:

• Future Canada China Environment Inc. (OBB:FCCE) jumped 50%, but the move took place on very light volume; this unknown entity has suddenly stormed to $15 a share after debuting in mid-October as a nickel stock.
• NewStar Financial (Nasdaq:NEWS) closed up 24% as small financial firms dominated gainers on Tuesday.
• Standard Register (NYSE:SR) jumped 28% as the document services . . .

Small-cap stocks staged a solid recovery rally Tuesday, recovering a hefty slice of the historic collapse from Monday’s freefall but remaining in the shadow of that epic decline. Strength today stemmed from short-term oversold conditions, hope for a rescue bail-out of automakers as well as bargain hunting in financial and homebuilder shares. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed up 24.75, or 5.93%, at 441.82. The Russell is now down 42% for 2008, while the Dow is off 37% and the S&P 500 is down 42%.

Optimism for a $25 billion aid package for embattled U.S. carmakers may have played a supportive role in the action today, but stock in General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) came tumbling down from a steep morning rally after word got out that November vehicle sales collapsed 41.3% versus the same month last year. Executives from the Big 3 automakers submitted plans to Congress for the bail-out proposal. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) was the first to release their plan, which called for a $9 billion loan, no executive bonuses, a reduction in dealers and new plans for electric cars. Into the close, GM shares were up slightly, while Ford was up about 4%.

Financial stocks were among the top performers today, with the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund up 5%, including another sizable rise in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), which was up 9%. Smaller banks and financial firms dominated the best percentage movers as well.

Homebuilder shares were surprisingly stout, with the ISE Homebuilder Index climbing 7.5%. Within the small-cap universe, KB Home (NYSE:KBH) jumped 9.5%, Lennar Corp. (NYSE:LEN) rallied 14.1% and Centex Corp. (NYSE:CTX) rose 11.5%. Perhaps the group was simply oversold, and perhaps some of the move was tied to hopes that further rate cuts and the government’s new push on lowering longer-dated debt rates would revive the sagging housing industry. On Monday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke intimated that the Fed could purchase long-term products and that sentiment was echoed today by Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Plosser, who said that the Fed certainly can buy Treasury products and . . .

XenoPort Inc. (Nasdaq:XNPT), Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR) and Stewardship Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:SSFN) are among the new 52-week lows in Monday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Tessera Technologies (Nasdaq:TSRA), XenoPort Inc. (Nasdaq:XNPT) and Gladstone Commercial  (Nasdaq:GOODP) are among the biggest percentage losers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: United Community Bancorp (Nasdaq:UCBA), Communications Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:JCS), Vitran Corp Inc. (Nasdaq:VTNC), Lindsay Corp. (Nasdaq:LNN), Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR) and First Financial Service Corp. (Nasdaq:FFKY).

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:    

Small-cap stocks pushed lower, pulled down by soft economic data, mixed earnings news and a modest rise in crude oil prices. At 10:04 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 4.87, or 0.68%, at 714.32.

Tech stocks were strong relative to other index products, underpinned by strong earnings from Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN), which rallied 9% early today after topping the Street’s forecast.

The stout results from AMZN were not a recurring theme this morning, however, with earnings from Dow Chemical (NYSE:DOW) and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) both missing the forecast. DOW was off 0.4% and F down 3.2% on the opening.

Existing home sales for June fell 2.6% to an annual rate of 4.86 million units, which was below the forecast of 4.93 million. It marked the lowest level in 10 years and was down 15% from last year. In addition, the inventory of homes available for sale rose to 11.1 months, up from 10.8 months in the May report. The national median home price also tumbled 6.1% from last year.

Ahead of the open, data on weekly claims came in much higher than expected, painting a somber picture on the employment front. The headline figure for weekly claims was at 406,000, far above the forecast of 380,000. Continuous claims dipped slightly, but the 4-week moving average rose. The immediate response to the jobs data was a brief erosion in the U.S. dollar, a rise in Treasury markets and an extension of the dip in overnight stock derivatives. However, there was some thought that the weekly claims report was at risk for an upside surprise amid layoffs in autos, airlines and banks.

Crude oil prices were higher heading into the stock market open, climbing back above $125 dollars a barrel in a mild bounce after a steep $4 drop Wednesday that put an exclamation point on a recent $23 collapse. It’s interesting to see that open interest in crude oil futures is near 18-month lows, which suggests that . . .

Quest Resource Corp (Nasdaq:QRCP), Boston Pri Finl Holdings (Nasdaq:BPFH) and Vasco Data Security International Inc (Nasdaq:VDSI) are among the most actively traded companies in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: TASER International Inc (Nasdaq:TASR), Vital Signs Inc (Nasdaq:VITL), HireRight Inc (Nasdaq:HIRE), SIERRA WIRELESS INC (Nasdaq:SWIR), MKS Instruments Inc (Nasdaq:MKSI) and Crocs Inc (Nasdaq:CROX).

Here are the most actively traded companies among small caps:

Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), Sigma Designs, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM) and Dendreon Corp. (Nasdaq:DNDN) are among the most actively traded companies in Tuesday's pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Sierra Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR), Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ) and VCG Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:VCGH) are also among the most actively traded small-cap companies in pre-market trading.

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

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) futures are down and the small-cap index will open in negative territory.

Small-cap stocks are poised for a bearish opening on news that aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) saw its first-quarter profit decline more than expected. Investors are fearful that the economic slowdown will negatively affect corporate earnings.

The Russell 2000 had another oddly quiet, rangebound session Monday, but again stalled on the 720 area, setting up that point as important short-term resistance. The index dipped 1.05, or 0.15%, to 712.68. Today, key resistance lurks at the aforementioned 720, then again near 725 and 731. Meanwhile, support is pegged at 705.50, then at 700 and 694.

The release this afternoon of the FOMC minutes could serve up some volatility.  Normally, the minutes alone wouldn’t justify expectations for a big stock market move, but the release takes on a little more significance this week because the data slate is tame.

Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR)
Vancouver, Canada
http://www.sierrawireless.com

52-week low / high: $11.98 / $28.10
Shares Outstanding: 31.3 million
Market Capitalization: $540 million

Mounties and maple syrup aren’t the only things Canada is famous for: tech companies also have their place in the country’s bustling cities. Vancouver-based Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq:SWIR), a maker of software and devices that facilitate mobile broadband networks, is one standout from the bunch with its constantly improving financials.

Revenue for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007 increased an impressive 98% to a record $135.6 million, compared with $68.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Earnings increased to $11.5 million, or $0.37 per share, compared with earnings of $2.4 million, or $0.09 per share, a year earlier.

The improvement was primarily due to the early launch of laptop cards for wireless access.

“Our momentum with these new products helped lead the way to record revenue in each of our three main business regions: The Americas, Asia and Europe,” president and CEO Jason Cohenour said in a statement on Jan. 31.

Founded in 1993, Sierra Wireless has offices in Canada, the United States, England and Hong Kong. It has distributors in approximately 30 countries, located in all continents except South America. The company frequently offers its products to manufacturers of computer and communications hardware, who in turn integrate the technology into their products.

In February, Sierra Wireless announced that its embedded module has been selected by German communications equipment maker LANCOM Systems GmbH to provide broadband connectivity for one of its routers. Later that month, Becker Marine Systems Communication said that it will take advantage of the technology to help mariners stay in touch with each other.

More recently, Sierra Wireless and telecommunications giant Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE:S) announced the launch of a USB modem for mobile broadband networks. Billed as the “nation’s smallest,” the Sierra Wireless Compass 597 USB is about the size of a pack of gum and operates on Sprint’s network to provide users with Internet access from their desktops or laptops.

“Our industry is in the midst of a transition from a niche, low-volume business focused primarily on corporate and industrial users, to a mainstream, high-volume segment increasingly serving consumers, in addition to traditional business users,” Sierra Wireless said in its 2007 annual report.

“This new environment offers the potential for strong revenue growth, but it also brings added competition and the challenge of maintaining solid margins,” the report continues. Despite those difficulties, the company’s gross margin was 28% in 2007.

Revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, jumped 99% to $439.9 million from $221.3 million in 2006. Profit more than tripled to $32.5 million, or $1.16 per share, compared with earnings of $9.8 million, or $0.38 per share, in 2006.

Wall Street expects the company’s financial results to continue improving: for 2008, 18 analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect net income to climb 17.2% to $1.36 per share, while revenues are projected to increase 30% to $571.83 million.

Note: Sierra Wireless (Nasdaq:SWIR) 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, Sierra Wireless 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.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are pointing down and the small-cap index will open in negative territory on news of a loss at General Motors.

Automaker General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) announced this morning that its third-quarter net loss was a stunning $39 billion, or $68.85 per share, compared with a loss of $147 million, or $0.26 per share a year earlier. The Detroit-based company explained that its huge loss was due to a one-time charge against deferred tax assets. GM has now lost all the deferred tax credits it accrued over the previous three years.

In economic news, the U.S. Labor Department reported that third-quarter productivity increased more than expected. Preliminary numbers show a rise of 4.9%, while economists were expecting an increase of 2.5%. That’s the fastest pace of growth in the last four years.

Productivity increased a downwardly revised 2.2% in the second quarter.

Interestingly, unit labor costs—a key measure of inflation—declined 0.2% in the second quarter. That also defied economists, who were forecasting a rise of 0.8%.

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:

• PeopleSupport Inc. (PSPT), up 15% on news of a larger third-quarter profit.
• DRD Gold Ltd. (DROOY), up 14%.
• CRM Holdings Ltd. (CRMH), up 10% on news of a rise in third-quarter profit.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc. (NSTK), down 28% on news it has reacquired teriparatide nasal spray for treatment of osteoporosis from its collaboration partner, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PG).
• Sierra Wireless Inc. (SWIR) down 10% on news of a product launch in Japan.
• Lakes Entertainment Inc. (LACO) down 8% on news of a third-quarter net loss.

Triad Guaranty Inc. (Nasdaq: TGIC), Graham Corp. (AMEX: GHM) and US BioEnergy Corp. (Nasdaq: USBE) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage gainers:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are rising and the small-cap index is set for a bullish opening on positive earnings news.

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) reported after the close on Thursday that its first-quarter earnings beat analysts’ expectations due to strong sales of the videogame “Halo.”  The Redmond, Wash.-based also raised its outlook for the full fiscal year.

Contributing to the upbeat sentiment is troubled mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp. (NYSE: CFC), which announced that it will return to profitability in the fourth quarter. The New York-based company also reported a third-quarter net loss, its first in 25 years.

Like other mortgage lenders, Countrywide took a hit this summer due to the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector.

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:

• Sierra Wireless Inc. (SWIR), up 14% on news of higher third-quarter earnings.
• FalconStor Software Inc. (FALC), up 11% on news of a strong third-quarter.
• Ikanos Communications Inc. (IKAN), up 11% despite news of a wider third-quarter loss.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Trident Microsystems Inc. (TRID), down 28% on news that quarterly financial results missed expectations.
• Online Resources Corp. (ORCC), down 19% on news of fourth-quarter guidance below projections.
• LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS) down 16% on news it did not provide a guidance for fiscal 2008.

Qiao Xing Universal Telephone, Inc. (Nasdaq: XING), Sierra Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: SWIR) and Transmeta Corp. (Nasdaq: TMTA) are among the most actively traded companies in Friday pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $750 million:

Even in today’s world of ubiquitous mobile communications, it may be hard to comprehend the magnitude of the wireless industry. During the second quarter of 2007 alone, some 270.9 million mobile phones were sold around the world, according to recent data from Gartner Inc. Today, there are about 2.88 billion mobile subscribers worldwide.

Those phones are becoming more and more advanced. Consumers are increasingly purchasing phones based on third generation, or 3G technology, which, in addition to enabling voice communications, offers ways to swiftly send text, images, and video.

Today there are about 470 million 3G mobile subscribers in the world, representing only a small fraction of total mobile phone users. But the 3G user base is growing rapidly.

Apple Inc.’s (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone, which looks more like a tiny television than a telephone, illustrates the trend well. One reason the $600 phone, er $400 phone is so popular is because of its video and other rich-media capabilities.

Other mobile device makers and PC makers are moving in the same direction, adding more functions to their wireless products so that people can not just carry a conversation but accomplish some serious work – or play – remotely.

The trend is reflected in stock values. In the wireless sector there is one, and depending on what date you use to make the comparison, maybe two stocks that have doubled in the past year. Both companies, which make wireless cards and modems to enable 3G mobile communications, are rapidly growing their revenues and signing up new customers.

Sounds good for new investors, yes? Well, maybe not so much, at least as far as Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL) and Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq: SWIR) are currently concerned.

The Russell 2000 index is down one percent as U.S. stocks add to their earlier losses. At 3:04 p.m. ET the Russell 2000 was down 9.04 points, or 1.06%, to 846.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had lost 106.22 points, or 0.78%, to 13,570.10.

Shares of New Frontier Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOOF) are down on news the Boulder, Col.-based distributor of adult entertainment programming missed profit expectations. The net income for the full year ended March 31 was $12.3 million, or $0.51 per share, compared with $11.3 million, or $0.48 per share, in the 2006 fiscal year, the company said after the opening bell.

These are the bigges percentage gainers at 10:36 ET among companies with market capitalizations under $500 million:

The following are the most actively traded companies in pre-market trading among those with market capitalizations under $500 million at 8:44 ET:

Shares of Sierra Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq: SWIR) surged in active after-hours trading today on news that the Vancouver, British Columbia-based company reported higher-than-expected earnings and revenue for the first quarter ended Jan. 31.

Net income of $5.3 million, or earnings per share of $0.20, on revenue of $85.4 million was higher than the company’s guidance of net earnings of $3 million, or $0.12 per share, on revenue of $82 million.

Net income doubled when compared to the $2.6 million, or $0.10 per share, earned in the 2006 first quarter.

Meanwhile, Sierra Wireless said it expects to earn 6.5 million, or $0.25 per share, on revenue of $92 million for the second quarter. Sixteen analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings per share of $0.18 on revenue of $84.4 million.

If the company closes on its pending acquisition of AirLink Communications Inc. by

Shares of Rackable Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: RACK) dipped $0.56, or 4.5%, to $12.02 in after-hours trading today after the Milipitas, Calif.-based provider of servers and storage products missed analysts’ estimates for the first quarter. Rackable Systems posted a non-GAAP net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.13 per share, on revenue of $72 million for the first quarter ended March 31. Eight analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting a net loss of $0.05 per share on revenue of $73.5 million. CEO Tom Barton said the quarter was challenging because of aggressive pricing from competitors for orders at the firm’s top three accounts.

Synchronoss Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: SNCR) soared $2.54, or 13.6%, to $21.20 in after-hours trading today after the company beat analysts’ earnings estimates for the first quarter. The Bridgewater, N.J.-based transaction management software firm reported non-GAAP earnings $4 million, or $0.12 a share, on revenue of $21.3 million for the three months ended March 31. Four analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings per share of $0.10 on revenue of $21 million. Synchronoss cited the shift toward converged services as being partly responsible for the results. The company also said business from its largest customer, AT&T (NYSE: T), grew by 30% when compared with last year’s first quarter.

After closing up 8% on the heels of an analyst upgrade, Secure Computing Corp. (Nasdaq: SCUR) slid $0.33, or 3.8%, to $8.31 in after-hours trading today after reporting first quarter results. The San Jose, Calif.-based security software firm reported non-GAAP net income of $3.4 million, or $0.05 per share, on revenue of $60.5 million for the first quarter. Twelve analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings per share of $0.03 on revenue of $60.4 million. Earlier in the day, Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock from “sell” to “neutral.”