Tag - Vvtv

Here are the biggest percentage gainers and losers in pre-market trading among companies with a market cap between $50 million and $750 million:

Biggest percentage gainers:

• Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS), up 19% after reporting first-quarter results after Monday’s close that beat the street and raised full-year revenue guidance.
• Kenexa (Nasdaq: KNXA), up15% after the global provider of talent acquisition and retention services reported first-quarter earnings after Monday’s close that trumped the consensus on Wall Street, while revenues met. The company also issued full year guidance above analysts’ estimates and second-quarter revenues above the Street.
• Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Ltd. (Nasdaq:ULTR), up 13% after the industrial transportation company reported first-quarter results Monday evening that beat the consensus on Wall Street. The small cap attributed the robust results to strong demand in all of its main lines of business.

Biggest percentage losers:

• ShopNBC (Nasdaq:VVTV), down 10% after the 24-hour TV shopping network said after Monday’s close that it expects to report a decline in first-quarter revenues below the consensus on Wall Street, as the company grappled with a difficult consumer economy and a slowdown in discretionary spending.
• Hoku Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOKU), down 7% after reporting fourth-quarter results this morning that fell short of the consensus view on Wall Street.
• Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq:COMV), down 5% after reporting a first-quarter net loss that was wider than Wall Street expected, but narrower from the year-ago quarter. 

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) posted a large increase for the second consecutive session on upbeat financial and housing news. The small-cap index advanced 19.86 points, or 2.91%, to 701.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) rose 187.32 points, or 1.52%, to 12,548.64.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 8.45%, while the Dow is down 5.40% and the S&P 500 has lost 8.07%.

Stocks small and large began the day in the green on news before the start of trading that investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) has raised its offer for Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) to $10 a share from $2 a share. The move is in response to disgruntled employees at Bear Stearns complaining that the original bid was too low.

The bulls gained strength at 10 a.m. ET, when the National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes rose 2.9% to an annual rate of . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is posting big gains as a rally takes hold on Wall Street. At 2:42 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had climbed 22.68 points, or 3.33%, to 704.10. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was up 235.43 points, or 1.90%, to 12,596.75.

The bulls are running the show as investors as stocks small and large rally on news that investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) has raised its offer for Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) to $10 a share from the original bid of $2 a share. JPMorgan has also agreed to guarantee Bear Stearns’ borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Bear Stearns collapsed under the weight of investments made on securities backed by subprime mortgages.

Speaking of the housing sector, sales of existing homes rose 2.9% in February, the National Association of Realtors reported after the start of trading. Investors took that as a bullish sign because economists were expecting . . .

The Russell 2000 had an "inside session" recovery Thursday, rising 17.29, or 2.60%, to 681.42. The market was able to post a solid advance for the holiday-shortened week despite a sloppy start on Monday, and now needs to hold above 650 this week to help validate any bottoming theories in play.

There is very little solid chart support until we get back down to 667 and 660, but there might be some buying interest on a dip toward 674 if the market starts out soft. On the upside, resistance is at 686, then just below 700. Existing home sales data comes out this  morning at 10:00 a.m. ET and could spark a little volatility.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) raced ahead on news that a manufacturing index declined less than expected. The small-cap index advanced 17.29 points, or 2.60%, to 681.42. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) climbed 261.66 points, or 2.16%, to 12,361.32.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has shed 11.05%, while the Dow is down 6.81% and the S&P 500 has retreated 9.46%.

Small-cap stocks opened with a modest rise but picked up steam after 10 a.m. ET, when the Philadelphia Federal Reserve reported that its index of regional manufacturing activity showed a reading of -17 in March, while economists had forecasted -20. The reading for February was -24.

The report is the most-watched regional manufacturing index, considered to be a barometer of manufacturing nationwide. Investors disregarded the fact that the data represent the longest period of contraction in five years and pushed stocks higher.

In other bullish news, an analyst said that mortgage purchases by Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) will help right the mortgage market. Today the federal government adopted changes that allow the two companies to invest more in mortgages and related securities.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices are posting declines as investors worry about the future of the economy.

At 10:46 a.m. ET, the small-cap index had lost 10.38 points, or 1.39%, to 738.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had shed 145.91 points, or 1.12%, to 12,864.23.

Stocks began the day with a drop as investors reacted to news that the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered its growth outlook for the U.S. economy.

On Tuesday the Fed forecasted that growth will slow in 2008 and unemployment will creep up slightly as rising energy prices and the ongoing slump in the housing sector take their toll. Inflation is projected to remain in check.

In other economic news, the Labor Department reported before the opening that jobless claims for the week ended Nov. 17 decreased 11,000 to 330,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised level of 341,000.

The four-week moving average, considered a more stable measure, fell 750 to 329,750 from 330,500 a week earlier.

The numbers tell us that labor markets are still fairly tight.

ValueVision Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVTV) shares are up despite the direct marketer’s third-quarter loss of $5.7 million, or $0.16 per share, worse than analyst estimates of losing $0.13 per share and compared with a loss of $3.1 million, or $0.09 per share, a year earlier.

The Eden Prairie, Minn.-based firm’s quarterly revenue totaled $184.8 million, in line with analyst estimates of $184.9 million and compared with $184.9 million a year earlier. ValueVision’s total operating expenses rose 6% to $72.4 million, from $68.3 million during the same period of 2006. Subtracting restructuring and costs associated with hiring a new CEO, ValueVision’s operating expenses were $69.4 million. William Lansing, ValueVision’s former CEO, inexplicably stepped down on Oct. 26 and was replaced by John Buck, who presently serves as the interim CEO.

“Our results for the third quarter were certainly below our expectations, but there were several factors that were encouraging as we look more closely at the results,” CEO John Buck said in a statement. “Although sales equaled last year's quarter, the comparison was adversely affected by a change in our merchandise mix. High ticket LCD TV sales, which drove sales growth in 2006, were down significantly for the current quarter.”

Shares of VVTV closed at $5.41 today. Over the last 52 weeks, shares have ranged from $4.45 to $14.09.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is down after opening with modest gains as investors reacted to upbeat earnings news.

At 10:41 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was down 1.34 points, or 0.16%, to 820.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had added 33.08 points, or 0.24%, to 13,839.78.

There is nothing major being released on the economic front today, so all eyes are focused on the latest corporate earnings.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), the second largest U.S. telecommunications company, announced before the opening that revenue for the third-quarter increased 5.8% to $23.8 billion from $22.5 billion a year earlier. However, net income declined by 34% to $1.27 billion, compared with $1.92 billion during the third quarter of 2006.

Computer maker Dell Inc. (Nasdaq: DELL) also contributed to the bullish sentiment when it said that it would consider making more acquisitions. Round Rock, Texas-based Dell has acquired five companies in the past two years.

The Russell 2000 opened in positive territory, but unexpectedly fell after about 10:15 a.m. ET.

Among small-cap companies, Gehl Co. (Nasdaq: GEHL) is down on news that the maker of compact construction equipment reported a decline in third-quarter income. Meanwhile, North American Galvanizing & Coatings (Nasdaq: NGA) is gaining ground on news before the start of trading that third-quarter profit more than doubled.

Trident Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRID), Online Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCC) and Clayton Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLAY) are among the biggest percentage losers in Friday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

Here are today's biggest percentage losers:

ValueVision Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVTV) shares are edging down after the Eden Prairie, Minn.-based direct marketer announced its chief executive William J. Lansing is leaving. ValueVision, which operates Internet, mail and television shopping outlets, said it named John D. Buck as the firm’s interim CEO. Lansing joined ValueVision in 2003.

“The board believes that the actions announced today are in the best interests of the company and all of its stakeholders, including our shareholders, customers, vendors and employees," Buck said in a statement. "The board is committed fully to renewing the business focus at the company.”

ValueVision said it has hired Spencer Stuart, an executive search firm, to assist the board’s selection committee in finding a permanent CEO.

The company also lowered its fiscal year revenue growth guidance to low single digits, below analyst estimates of 5% and from a previous range of 6% to 8%. ValueVision’s revenue in fiscal 2007 totaled $767.27 million.

“We are experiencing a challenging retail environment," Buck said.

In pre-market trading, VVTV shares are down 0.31%, or $0.02, at $6.46. Over the last 52 weeks, shares have ranged from $6.34 to $14.12.

Hearst Communications sold 243,128 of paid-search provider Local.com Corp. (Nasdaq: LOCM) at $9.07, according to Briefing.com.

Home improvement products maker Q.E.P. Co., Inc. (Nasdaq: QEPC) reported first-quarter sales of $57 million, above estimates of $54 million.

Qiao Xing Universal Telephone Inc. (Nasdaq: XING) filed with the SEC a form to release its annual report and restate its financial data from fiscal years 2003, 2004 and 2005.

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

Local.com Corp. (Nasdaq: LOCM) reported that it was granted a patent for cell phone-enabled local search. The patent also covers several advertising models associated with the search format.

Biotechnology business Viacell, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAC) named John Thero as the Cambridge, Mass.-based company’s new CFO.

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

Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDIX) announced that the Cambridge, Mass.-based company achieved its primary and secondary endpoints in the second trial phase of its hepatitis C drug valopicitabine.

Neurochem Inc. (Nasdaq: NRMX) said that no predictions or conclusions can be made regarding the outcome of the phase III trial for its Alzheimer’s treatment Alzhemed.

On lower sales, Cyberonics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYBX) announced a fourth-quarter loss of $0.42 per share, compared to a $0.17 a share loss in the year-ago period. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a loss of $0.35 per share.

China-based Connect Holdings Ltd. announced progress in its cash offer of $11 per share to acquire all issued shares of Pacific Internet Ltd. (Nasdaq: PCNTF). Withdrawal of acceptances is permitted until 1:00 a.m. ET on June 22.

Nastech Pharmaceutical (Nasdaq: NSTK) reported this morning it received a U.S. patent titled "Cyanocobalamin Low Viscosity Aqueous Formulations for Intranasal Delivery." Issuance of the new patent prompts an obligation by QOL Medical LLC to pay the Bothell, Wash.-based Nastech $2 million under the license agreement granting QOL Medical rights to Nascobal Nasal Spray.

Oil and gas company GMX Resources Inc. (Nasdaq: GMXR) announced successful results from the test drilling of a 20-acre plot in the area of east Texas and northern Louisiana known as Cotton Valley.

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

Labopharm Inc. (Nasdaq: DDSS) shares down sharply following an announcement at the closing bell Thursday that the Toronto, Canada-based pharmaceutical company has received a second approvable letter from the Food and Drug Administration regarding the pain relief drug Tramadol. The letter said that Labopharm has not demonstrated the efficacy of its once-daily formulation of Tramadol, because the statistical methods the company used to analyze data from its clinical trials “did not adequately address missing data relating to subjects who dropped out of the trials.” In a press release, the company said the FDA did not explain why the statistical methods were inadequate. Labopharm said it seeks to clarify the issue with the FDA as soon as possible.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. (Nasdaq: GLDD) are up after a bullish mention Thursday evening by MSNBC pundit Jim Cramer. The Illinois, Ill.-based business provides dredging, marine construction and demolition services.

Shares in DexCom, Inc. (Nasdaq: DXCM) are up following the announcement after Thursday’s closing bell that the FDA approved its seven-day continuous glucose monitoring device for people with diabetes. The San Diego-based medical devices maker said it plans to launch the monitoring device – called Seven – by the end of the summer.

Phazar Corp. (Nasdaq: ANTP) shares are soaring following the announcement Thursday evening that the company’s Antenna Products unit received a $0.9 million order from the Spanish telecom company Page Iberica S.A. The Madrid-based company ordered four Multiport Antenna Systems. Phazar said the order will be shipped in October for installation at a Spanish NATO site.

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