Tag - Tson

Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. (Nasdaq:ISLE), Dycom Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:DY) and BroadVision Inc. (Nasdaq:BVSN) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Heritage Financial Group (Nasdaq:HBOS), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON), Matrixx Initiatives (Nasdaq:MTXX), CNinsure Inc. (Nasdaq:CISG), BCB Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:BCBP) and First Capital Inc. (Nasdaq:FCAP).

First M&F Corp. (Nasdaq:FMFC), Superior Industries International Inc. (Nasdaq:SUP) and Calavo Growers Inc. (Nasdaq:CVGW) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: 3D Systems Corp. (Nasdaq:TDSC), DTS Inc. (Nasdaq:DTSI), Blue Coat Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:BCSI), Sourcefire Inc. (Nasdaq:FIRE), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON) and Calgon Carbon Corp. (Nasdaq:CCC).

Exactech Inc. (Nasdaq:EXAC), RC2 Corp. (Nasdaq:RCRC) and Barnes Group Inc. (Nasdaq:B) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Dress Barn Inc. (Nasdaq:DBRN), Ameris Bancorp (Nasdaq:ABCB), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON), eLong Inc. (Nasdaq:LONG), American Woodmark Corp. (Nasdaq:AMWD) and EnerNOC Inc. (Nasdaq:ENOC).

CV Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CVTX), Parexel International Corporation (Nasdaq:PRXL) and Sun Healthcare Group Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNH) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON), Carpenter Technology Corp. (Nasdaq:CRS), Global Traffic Network Inc. (Nasdaq:GNET), Federal Mogul Corp. (Nasdaq:FDML), Pulaski Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:PULB) and MDS Inc. (Nasdaq:MDZ).

Stream Global Services Inc. (Nasdaq:OOO), Maidenform Brands Inc. (Nasdaq:MFB) and Presidential Life Corp. (Nasdaq:PLFE) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Oxford Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:OXM), Elbit Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq:EMITF), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON), Nanosphere Inc. (Nasdaq:NSPH), Polypore International Inc. (Nasdaq:PPO) and KBW Inc. (Nasdaq:KBW).

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania Inc. (Nasdaq:RBPAA), Koss Corp. (Nasdaq:KOSS) and Bridge Capital Holdings (Nasdaq:BBNK) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: MAG Silver Corp. (Nasdaq:MVG), Fidelity Southern Corp. (Nasdaq:LION), FirstCity Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:FCFC), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON), Synthesis Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:SYMX) and Logility Inc. (Nasdaq:LGTY).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks edged lower Thursday, unable to match gains registered in large-cap indices as the specter of record high oil prices and high unemployment were enough to hold back the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM). The Russell closed down 6.56, or 0.98%, at 665.78, the lowest daily close since March 19.

Despite the negative finish, the market did mount a modest solid bounce off the morning lows, finding support above 660, which is the next big test for an index that is once again back in bear market territory and flirting with a hard retest of the March trough.

Even though there seemed to be a little disconnect between the news and price action today, some traders weren’t that surprised with the overall trends. “I think a portion of Wednesday’s sell-off was linked to jitters over the employment report. The market was bracing for a payroll number closer to minus 100,000,” Nick Kalivas, vice president of financial research with MF Global, said in an email interview.

Also, Kalivas said that the weak performance in small caps compared to the Dow and S&P 500 was tied to a wave of profit-taking in small-cap energy shares, which were up sharply in the second quarter.

In some ways, price action today was relatively unsettling as headline figures on monthly employment and a rate hike by the ECB would seem to be bearish, but were embraced as far better than the “whisper” numbers bandied about in a worst-case scenario. In the case of employment data, the headline figure came out at minus 62,000, which was relatively close to the median forecast for a loss of 60,000. However, when the ADP report came out Wednesday at minus 79,000, it prompted some talk that the Labor Department figure could be closer to minus 100,000, which meant that losing “only” 62,000 non-farm jobs suddenly didn’t seem all that bad. It’s a little more tricky to shrug off the 5.5% unemployment rate however, which analysts expected to dip to 5.4% or even better after last month’s dramatic 0.5% leap was supposedly a statistical quirk. Regardless, the market chose to take . . .

After opening lower, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) remains shallowly in the red on thin trading in a shortened trading session amid a mixed jobs report, a lower-than-anticipated ISM services reading and climbing crude prices.

While the small-cap index remains in the red, the larger-cap indices are climbing higher late morning. At 11:52 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 was down 2.25, or 0.33%, to 670.09, while the Dow was up 103.16, or 0.92%, to 11,318.67. Equity markets will close at 1 pm ET, ahead of the Independence Day Holiday.

The Labor Department reported before the opening that the unemployment rate remained steady at 5.5% in June from May, a hair higher than the forecasted decline to 5.4%. However, non-farm payrolls tumbled 62,000, which was lower than the median forecast for a decline of 50,000. Employers remain cautious amid high energy prices and a sluggish economy. Construction, manufacturing and financial services were among the areas hardest hit, while education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and government showed gains.

“The unemployment rate stayed higher in June after soaring in May. This suggests that May’s surge in joblessness was more of a catch-up to the slow rise in the prior six months than a seasonal adjustment difficulty. Regardless, over the past year the number of unemployed has increased by 1.5 million to 8.5 million and the unemployment rate has increased by one percentage point to 5.5%. In the post-World War II period, every time the unemployment rate has jumped by a full percentage point in the course of a year, the economy has slipped into recession,” Steven Wood, chief economist with Insight Economics, said in an email.

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Survey came in at 48.2, below the median forecast of 51.5. A reading below 50 signals contraction, while a reading above 50 signals expansion. In addition, the prices paid index was the highest since the . . .

Acme Packet Inc. (Nasdaq:APKT), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON) and ARYx Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ARYX) are among the biggest percentage losers in Thursday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Pyramid Oil Company (AMEX:PDO), Gushan Environmental Energy Limited (NYSE:GU), Security Bank Corp. (Nasdaq:SBKC), ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Limited (Nasdaq:CXSP), Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq:VLTR) and Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS).

Here are the biggest percentage losers among small caps:

Small-cap stocks turned lower, unable to sustain an opening bid. The early rise in stocks — particularly large caps, appeared to take its a cue from a surging dollar in the wake of jobs data that failed to deliver a feared knockout blow and an ECB rate hike that also didn’t crank out the worst scenario. At 10:02 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 10.86, or 1.61%, at 661.48. Price action in small caps was noticeably lagging large-cap index products early today, which is a caution sign for the overall market.

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Survey came out at 10:00 a.m. ET, with the headline number at 48.2, which was well below the median forecast. In addition, the prices paid index was the highest since the data began in 1997. The ISM data pushed all of the major stock index products into negative territory, wiping out the surprising opening rally after soft employment data.

This morning’s initial rally in large-cap stocks and the U.S. dollar was all about the way expectations play into the reality of news. Although the jobs report and weekly claims figures look bearish on the surface, the “whisper” numbers for the report were far worse. A similar situation was in play for the greenback, as the ECB raised rates “only” 25 bps, when the worst-case scenario called for a 50-bp rate hike.

Looking at the real details on the employment report, we see that non-farm payrolls tumbled 62,000, which was slightly worse than the median forecast for a decline of 50,000. However, the unemployment rate remained flat at 5.5% when everyone expected the rate to dip back to 5.4% — perhaps even lower. Remember last month when the market gasped with disbelief at the huge jump to 5.5% from 5%? Remember how everyone said it was a data “quirk” that seasonally counted teens too soon? Well, the Labor Department number crunchers did not deliver a seasonal adjustment “save” for the unemployment rate, which is not good news for the economy.

“The unemployment rate stayed higher in June after soaring in May. This suggests that May’s surge in joblessness was more of a catch-up to the slow rise . . .

TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON) shares skidded 26% Thursday after the Wilmington, N.C.-based medical device company announced late Wednesday it was lowering its revenue estimates for the second quarter. The company said it expects revenues for the quarter ended in June to be between $5.9 million and $6 million, down from its previous estimates of $6.3 million to $6.5 million. TranS1 lowered the revenue outlook because of a sales force turnover and the promotion of high-performing sales people to management positions, the company said.

TranS1 traded on Thursday at $10.44, down $3.81 from the previous day's close.

TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON) said after Thursday’s close that it recorded a narrower-than-expected net loss in the first-quarter, shooting shares higher in morning trading. The medical device company attributed the bottom-line to more spine surgeons adopting the AxiaLIF procedure and a broadening of clinical indications for existing surgeon customers as they gain experience with the procedure and the clinical benefits to their patients.

Shares advanced 14%, or $1.94, to $15.79 at 10:18 a.m. ET. For detailed price information and recent news stories about TranS1, click TSON.

Small-cap stocks edged lower Tuesday, with the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) sinking 6.44, or 0.89%, to 718.93. Small caps had plenty of good news to embrace Tuesday, but a wave of sloppy earnings and cautious profit-taking from longs ahead of Wednesday’s FOMC announcement kept the buyers at bay. Small caps noticeably underperformed relative to the Dow and S&P 500, which is a caution signal for the market heading toward huge economic calendar event risk the rest of the week.

Losses were limited by a firm U.S. dollar, which pushed about 0.6% higher versus the euro, rising to the highest point in three weeks. The firm greenback played a role in a sharp retreat in crude oil prices, which tumbled 2.5% in the shadow of yesterday’s record high level. Retail, transportation and airline stocks received a boost from the pullback in energy prices. The commodity spectrum in general was lower Tuesday, with the Commodity Research Bureau Index of commodity prices down 1.8%, pulled lower by the slide in energy and also by a corrective dip in grains a day after corn prices hit record levels.

Within broad market sectors, food retail stocks were up 5%, airlines up 3% and education services were up almost 3%. Meanwhile, fertilizer shares were down 8%, metals and mining were down almost 5%, and agricultural products were down about 4%.

The stock market has been on an impressive upside push since March lows, with the Russell rising about 12%, the Dow up 9.5% and the S&P 500 up about 10%. Given the solid return generated for bulls lucky enough to have caught this brush higher, it’s . . .

Allegiant Travel Co. (Nasdaq:ALGT), TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON) and Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida (Nasdaq:SBCF) are among the biggest percentage gainers in Tuesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

A.M. Castle & Co. (NYSE:CAS), AuthenTec, Inc. (Nasdaq:AUTH) and Mac-Gray Corp. (NYSE:TUC) are also among the top small-cap percentage gainers.

Here are Tuesday's biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

Here are Tuesday’s biggest percentage gainers and losers in midday trading, along with top volume leaders, among companies with a market cap between $50 million and $750 million:

Biggest percentage gainers:

• Allegiant Travel Co. (Nasdaq:ALGT), up 25.4% to $26.08 after the leisure travel company reported first-quarter operating revenue of $133.1 million, up 58% from $84.3 million a year earlier.
• TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON), up 19.9% to $12.79 after news that the FDA has cleared one of their minimally evasive surgery procedures for marketing.
• Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida (Nasdaq:SBCF), up 13.1% to $10.71 after the bank holding company announced first-quarter net income of $1.8 million, or $0.09 per share, compared with $2.8 million, or $0.14 per share, a year earlier. Wall Street analysts expected earnings of $0.10 per share.

Biggest percentage losers:

• Intevac, Inc. (Nasdaq:IVAC), down 23.4% to $12.63 after the maker hard drive equipment said it expects 2008 revenue in the range of $120 million to $150 million and earning of between a loss of $0.25 per share and a profit of $0.15 per share. Analysts expect revenue of $143.9 million and a profit of $0.09 per share.
 • Digi International Inc. (Nasdaq:DGII), down 20.8% to $8.12 after the Minnetonka, Minn.-based company reported early Tuesday that its second-quarter revenue totaled $43.1 million, which fell short of Wall Street’s expectation of $51.1 million.

Small-cap stocks opened lower after the opening bell, experienced a slight bump after the Consumer Confidence report was released at 10 a.m., but are continuing to slide in midday Tuesday trading. At 12:37 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 8.19, or 1.13%, to 717.18.

The Conference Board reported that April’s Consumer Confidence Index slumped to 62.3, the lowest level in five years, from a revised 65.9 in March. Economists expected the index, which has declined fourth months in a row, to decline to 61.

During a morning press conference, President Bush said Congress should allow more domestic energy production. Higher production would lower record-high gas prices, he said. Bush said gas prices have risen $1.40 per gallon since the Democrats won a majority in Congress, and pointed to stalled efforts to open drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which would “likely mean lower gas prices.” The president will consider proposals by Sen. John McCain and Sen. Hillary Clinton to suspend the federal gas tax, but did not provide backing for the proposal. The President also noted that the economic stimulus package is in on the way.

Large-cap movers this morning included drug company Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK), which was down 8% on news that the FDA rejected a new cholesterol drug. From an overall stock market picture, the news had a somewhat muted impact, because it lifted Merck competitor Abbott Labs (NYSE:ABT) by 3%. In addition, Visa (NYSE:V) posted decent earnings ahead of the opening, and the financial firm is up 1% in midday trading after dipping in earlier action.

Within the small-cap spectrum, LCA Vision Inc. (Nasdaq:LCAV) is down 17%, gapping lower on weak earnings. Intevac Inc. (Nasdaq:IVAC) was down 23% as well, also on earnings news, and TheStreet.com Inc. (Nasdaq:TSCM) was off 13% on soft earnings. Digi International Inc. (Nasdaq:DGII) shares are slumping more than 19% after the Minnetonka, Minn.-based company reported early Tuesday that its second-quarter revenue totaled $43.1 million, which fell short of Wall Street’s expectation of $51.1 million.

Small-cap stocks opened lower, slightly trimmed losses after the Consumer Confidence report came out at 10:00 a.m. ET, but then retreated right back to pre-release levels. The report showed an upward revision to the March report, which provided a brief bid to the market, but it was not enough to catch hold (at least immediately). At 10:01 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 1.84, or 0.25%, at 723.53.

The Consumer Confidence report was pegged at 62.3 in April, which was in line with the forecast of 62, but the March number was revised upward to 65.9 versus 64.5. Still, the April figure was the lowest in five years.

Next on line … President Bush is slated to hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. ET, where he is expected to talk about the economy.

The opening action was soft in line with overnight declines on a dip in European shares as Deutsche Bank posted its first quarterly loss in five years, and French tire company Michelin tumbled 9% on sloppy earnings.

Large-cap companies influencing trade this morning included drug company Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK), which was down 7% on news that the FDA rejected a new cholesterol drug. From an overall stock market picture, the news had a somewhat muted impact, because it lifted Merck competitor Abbott Labs (NYSE:ABT) by 4%. In addition, Visa (NYSE:V) posted decent earnings ahead of the opening, but the financial firm was down 3% in early action.

The S&P 500 stalled approaching the 1,400 level on the latest push upward, and that key figure resistance will be closely watched through the rest of the week’s major economic events. In the Russell 2000, the market yesterday climbed . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) closed in the red while the other major U.S. indices rose on news of a plan to help bond insurers. The small-cap index fell 0.85 points, or 0.12%, to 695.43. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) gained 96.72 points, or 0.79%, to 12,381.02.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 9.22%, while the Dow is down 6.66% and the S&P 500 has retreated 7.85%.

Bond insurers were the story today, first causing steep declines and then becoming the catalyst of a breathtaking rebound that lifted all but the small-cap index.

Stocks small and large spent the majority of the session deep in negative territory on speculation that rating agencies Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch will move to downgrade major bond insurers MBIA Inc. (NYSE: MBI) and Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABK).

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are posting gains despite the latest negative news from the housing sector.
 
At 10:39 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 2.94 points, or 0.40%, to 742.00. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 15.77 points, or 0.12%, to 13,182.97.

Stocks are posting solid gains as investors react to news that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit, beating Wall Street’s expectations.

The New York-based investment bank, the largest in the world, had a quarterly net income of $3.17 billion, or $7.01 per share, well above analysts’ projected earnings of $6.61 per share. During the previous fourth-quarter the company had a profit of $3.10 billion, or $6.59 per share.

Unlike many of its rivals, Goldman Sachs has not been seriously affected by the meltdown in the subprime mortgage sector, which picked up steam after U.S. home prices started to fall in the second half of 2006.

Speaking of the housing sector, the situation remains dire.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported before the start of trading that housing starts in November declined 3.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.187 million. That’s the slowest pace in 16 years. Economists were expecting single-family home construction to fall a little further to an annual pace of 1.180 million units.

November housing starts are 24.2% below the revised annual rate of 1,565,000 units in November 2006.