Stock On the Move: February 2006

Stock on the Move - February 28

Stock Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Sherwin-Williams Co. (SHW): after plunging $9.37 or 17.82% last Wednesday on lost lawsuits, shares of Clevand, Ohio based paint maker rose 6.95% or $2.96 to $45.55 as damage from lead-paint lawsuits is reduced after judge ruled state of Rhode Island cannot seek punitive damages against the company. Almost 13 million shares, six times average volumn, have exchanged hands.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (SNDA): shares of Chinese online game maker dove 19.94% on falling revenue in fourth-quarter and negative comments from analysts on the company outlook. The stock is the biggest loser on Nasdaq with 10 million shares traded.
King Pharmaceuticals Inc. (KG): after reporting disappointing fourth-quarter earning, shares of Bristol, TN based drugs maker plunged 18.22% or $3.62 to $16.25 per share as 10 million shares have exchanged hands. The stock is the leading loser on NYSE today.

Stock on the Move - February 27

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc. (SVC): shares of Houston, Texas based tactical military vehicle maker soared 26.68% to new 52 weeks high of $34.33 as the company is acquired by Armor Holdings Inc. (AH), a Florida based armor vehicle maker. More than 8 million shares have exchanged hands as the stock is the leading winner on NYSE.
Lowe's Companies Inc. (LOW): the Mooreville, NC based home improvement retailer, second largest in US, today announced jump in fourth quarter profit on improved sales. The stock ends the day up $3.78 or 5.77% to near 52 weeks high of $69.3 per share. Three times average volumn of 11.2 million shares have traded.

Stock Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM): shares of Denver, Colorado based gold mining company dropped 5.71% or $3.32 to $54.78 as the fourth quarter profit falls 67% amid higher costs. The company is also expecting a negative outlook for 2006.

Stock on the Move - February 24

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Netease.com Inc. (NTES): shares of Chinese online game operator surged 14.04% to $86.1 on upgrades from three institutions following the jump in net earning in the fourth quarter despite growing competition. About six times normal volumn of 5.7 million shares have traded.
Research In Motion Inc. (RIMM): despite risk that the sales of BlackBerry may be blocked, shares of Canada based BlackBerry maker still rose 6.5% to $74.05 as the court hearing ended with no decision on Friday.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Dana Corp. (DCN): shares of Toledo, OH based auto parts maker plummet 52.06% to record low of $1.51 per share despite analysts upgrades as the financially struggling company has hired restruturing company . Record volumn of 71 million shares have exchanged hands, the heaviest traded on NYSE.
Merge Healthcare (MRGE): shares of Milwaukee, WI based medical software and services provider plunged 16.33% or $4 to $20.5 per share amid worries as the company delays fourth quarter result. 17 million shares have traded, about 22 times normal volumn.

Stock on the Move - February 23

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Rambus Inc. (RMBS): shares of Los Altos, California based memory chip maker rose 13.41% or $3.79 to $32.05 today on positive comments from analyst that the result of lawsuit will go in Rambus's favor. About 12 million shares have exchanged hands, about twice of average volumn.
Sulphco Inc. (SUF): shares of the Sparks, NV based comapny providing crude oil desulfurization soared 21.8% or $1.45 to $8.1 as the company completed in-house testing of 15,000 barrel per day desulfuraization of oil by ultrasound. 5.8 million shares have traded, the tenth heaviest traded on AMEX.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

GTC Biotherapeutics Inc. (GTCB): the Framingham, MA based biotechnology firm today announced it is expected to receive negative opinion from European panel on its antithrombin produt ATryn. The negative news sank the stock 90 cents or 40% to $1.35 as record volumn of 22.8 million shares exchanged hands. The stock was the top loser on Nasdaq.
Amedisys Inc. (AMED): shares of Baton Rouge, LA based heath care nursing services provider plunged 24.43% or $9.92 to near 52 weeks low of $30.68 per share on two analysts downgrades following disappointing fourth-quarter earning and resignition of chief financial officier. Record volumn of 10.8 million shares have traded, about 16 times average volumn.

Stock on the Move - February 22

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Desert Sun Mining Corp. (DEZ): shares of Toronto, Canada based gold mine owner in Brazil, Africa and Venezuela surged 15.21% or 66 cents to new 52 weeks high of $5 today on merger with Yamana Gold Inc.(AUY), also a Toronto based mining company. About 5 times average volumn of 6 million shares have exchanged hands, the tenth most heaviest traded on AMEX today.
NutriSystem Inc. (NTRI): shares of the Horsham, PA based diet food and program provider rose $5.01 or 13.29% to $42.72 on strong fourth quarter earning and first quarter outlook. Sales in the fourth quarter surged fourfold and help the company returned to profitability. 5.6 million shares have traded, about four times average volumn.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Axcan Pharma Inc. (AXCA): failed trail on the stomach ailment treatment drug and analyst downgrade caused the stock of Candian drug maker to tumble 27.99% and ended the day at new 52 weeks low of $11.76 per share. Record volumn of 15 million shares, about 25 times average volumn have exchaned hands as the stock became the biggest loser on Nasdaq today.
Sherwin-Williams Co. (SHW): the Cleveland, Ohio based paint maker today lost lawsuits on lead paint fomerly produced which has poisoned tens of thousands of children since early 1990s. The stock plunged 17.82% or $9.37 per share to $43.2 with record volumn of 22 million shares, fifteen times of average volumn.

Stock on the Move - February 21

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (HEB): shares of the Philadelphia, PA based drug maker soared 26.75% today, continuing the surge since last Friday after the company unveiled medical data last Thursday that its antiviral drug Ampligen can be used for avian flu treatment. 5.1 million shares traded pusing the stock to new 52 week high of $3.98 per share.
Ivanhoe Energy Inc. (IVAN): shares of Invanhoe Energy surged 24 cents or 9.84% to $2.68 as China's CITIC Group will acquire 8.5 million shares of Ivanhoe Energy at price of $2.33 per share. 17 million shares have exchanged hands, the fourteenth most traded on Nasdaq.

Stocks on the Move - February 17

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

VA Software Corp. (LNUX): shares of Fremont, CA based software firm surged 13.85% to new 52 weeks high of $2.96 on 20 times normal volumn of 7 million shares as the company is expected to announce second quarter earning next Tuesday, February 21. In the previous trading session, the stock also soared 25% with 3.8 million shares. The company owns the largest open source development platform SourceForge.net.
KeySpan Corp. (KSE): the Hicksville, NY based power and gas utility supplier today confirmed merger talks with serveral companies including Consolidated Edison (ED) and National Grid (NGG). After the annoucement the stock surged to as high as $41 per share before closing the day up 11.69% to $40.41. Nine time average shares of 7.4 million have traded.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

PXRE Group Ltd. (PXT): shares of Pembroke, Bermuda based insurance company plunged $7.84 or 65.94% to new 5 year low of $4.05 per share after the company raised cost estimates of hurrican damages to as high as $311 million. On Thursday the insurance rating agency downgarded the company's financial strength rating from A- to B++. About seventy times normal volumn of 36 million shares have exchanged hands, also the heaviest traded on NYSE.
XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XMSR): after the Washington, DC based satellite radio maker posting wider fourth quarter loss in the previous session, its stock tumbled for the second straight day by dropping another 10.05% to new 52 week low $21.57. The company also got hit with downgardes from two research firms. Unfortunately the rival Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) also suffered bigger loss in the fourth quarter and the stock also tanked. 31 million shares have exchanged hands, the twelveth most traded on Nasdaq while rival SIRI was the heaviest traded with 123 million shares.

Stock on the Move - February 16

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Wild Oats markets Inc. (OATS): the Boulder, CO based natural food supermarket chain today announced that the company swung to fourth quarter profit on higher sales and expansion. In addition to the fourth quarter profits, the company also issued upbeat forecast for 2006 earnings. As a reslt the stock soared 17.55% to new 52 week high of $17.21 per share as 15 times average volumn of 6 million shares traded.
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ): shares of Palo Alto, CA based technology giant jumped 7.42% to record four year high of $34.02 per share after the company posted 30% gain in first quarter earning. The stock is the second heaviest traded on NYSE with 51 million shares.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Expedia Inc. (EXPE): the Bellevue, WA based online travel service provider on Wednesday annouced sharp decline in profit, from $44.1 million down to $25.2 million due to competitive environment. Shares tumbled 18.27% or $4.43 to $19.82 with 27.4 million shares exchanged hands, the thirteenth most traded on Nasdaq.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT): shares of Akron, Ohio based tires maker dropped 6.02% to $14.51 per share as the company reverse to fourth quarter loss of $51 million. In the same quarter of previous year the company posted profit of $125million. About three times normal trading of 7.6 million shares have exchanged hands.

Stocks on the Move - February 15

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Genta Inc. (GNTA): the Berkeley Heights, NJ based biopharmaceutical firm on Wednesday annouced positive study results on its caner treatment drug. The positive news helped lifting the stock 8.88% or 23 cents to $2.82 per share as 15 million shares exchanged hands. Before the announcement the stock had been on consecutive losing sessions after hitting 52 week high of $3.48 per share on February 8 last week .
ONEOK Inc. (OKE): shares of the Tulsa, Oklahoma based oil and natural gas distributor in the mid states of United States surged 13.55% or $3.6 to $30.16 as it plans to sell gas liquids, pipeline and storage businesses to Northern Border Partners(NBP) for $3 billion. Shares of Northern Border Partners also gained 11.98% to $49.15 after the announcement.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn

Blue Coat Systems Inc. (BCSI): disappointing third quarter result from the Sunnyvale, CA based network equipment maker triggerred sell-off which send the stock down $5.43 or 22.16% to $19.07 per share. The stock is now trading less than half of its closing price of $40.33 per share earlier this month.
Outback Steakhouse Inc. (OSI): shares of one of the nations largest steakhouse chain dropped 8.69% or $3.88 to $40.78 per share on 10 times average volumn of 10 million shares as the company posted weaker than expected fourth quarter and 2006 forecast.

Stocks on the move - February 14

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

RealNetworks Inc. (RNWK): the Seattle, WA based digital media software maker of the popular RealPlayer on Tuesday posted a strong fourth-quarter profit of $295.6 million due to cash settlement from Microsoft on antitrust lawsuit. The positive announcement lifted the stock $1.13 or 15.27% to $8.53 per share, near its 52 weeks high, as more than four times average volumn of 7.3 million shares exchanged hands.
iVillage In. (IVIL): shares of New York based Internet content company rose 11.72% to $7.72 per share on analyst upgrades following company's strong fourth quarter announcement. Five million shares have exchanged hands, about nine times normal volumn.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Transoean Inc. (RIG): despite fourth quarter profit, shares of Houston based oil driller still lost 8.26% or $6.49 to $72.1 per share as the company warns earnings shortfall in the first quarter of 2006. The stock is the third biggest loser on NYSE with 25 million shares traded.
Cendant Corp. (CD): shares of New York based travel and real estate servies provider dropped $1.12 or 6.66% to new 52 weeks low of $15.7 per share on weak first quarter outlook. 19 million shares, about 2.5 times normal volumn have exchanged hands.

Stock on the Move - February 13

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Opsware In. (OPSW): new multimillion dollar deal with network equipment giant Cisco System helped shares of Sunnyvale, CA based IT automation software maker advancing 10.1% or 72 cents to new 52 week high of $7.85 per share. Seven times average volumn of 5.7 million shares have exchanged hands.
Taser International Inc. (TASR): shares of Scottsdale, AZ based stun-gun maker rose 8.32% to $10.56 per share with twice average volumn of 5.4 million shares traded. The self defense device maker has been battered by injuiry claims and lawsuits which contribute to dissappointing stock performance for the past year and half.

Stocks on the Move - February 10

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

McAfee Inc. (MFE): shares of Santa Clara, CA based anti-virus software provider surged $4.02 or 18.37% to $25.9 on upgrade by Deutsche Bank as the quarterly result tops revised estimate. The stock is the leading gainer on NYSE with 13 million shares traded, about 6 times average volumn.
Pain Therapeutics Inc. (PTIE): positive comments from Jim Cramer in his Mad Money show helped shares of Bay area based painkiller maker top 10.99% to new 52 week high of $10.1 per share on 12 times normal volumn of 9.7 million shares.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Salesforce.com (CRM): shares of San Francisco, CA based customer relationship management(CRM) service provider sank $4.27 or 10.85% to $35.1 per share on rumors that the company have lost contracts to rival Siebel Systems. 10 million shares have exchanged hands making it the second biggest loser on NYSE.
Genta Inc. (GNTA): after surging more than 100% in just a month, shares of Berkeley Heights, NJ based biopharmaceutical company dipped 10.83% to $2.8 per share with 17 million shares traded, more than 5 times average volumn.

Stock on the Move - February 9

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Akamai Technologies (AKAM): shares of Cambridge, MA based Internet content delivery service provider surged 18.23% to new 52 week high of $26.01 on nearly doubled fourth-quarter profit and bullish outlook. 16 million shares, about 7 times average volumn, have exchanged hands as the stock is the 18th most traded and the 8th most gained on Nasdaq.
Amkor Technologies (AMKR): reports of record revenue for the fourth quarter send shares of Chandler, AZ based semiconductor packing and service company up 18.75% to new 52 weeks high of $6.84 per share with record volumn of 18.8 million shares traded.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Brinks Co. (BCO): despite profit growth in fourth quarter, shares of Richmond, VA based security service provider drop 9.34% to $48.8 per share as the increase in profit was from business unit which the company already sold in January. The stock was trading at new 52 week high in the previous session.

Stock on the Move - February 8

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

CROCS Inc. (CROX): the Nasdaq debut of Niwot, CO based footwear manufacturer hits homerun as shares skyrocketted 35.95% to $28.55 per share with 11 million shares traded and the third most gainer on Nasdaq.
Univision Communications Inc. (UVN): shares of Los Angeles based Spanish-language media company surged 11.98% as the board of directors are seeking to sell the company. The stock ends the day with new 52 week high of $34.2 with 25 million shares exchanged hands, about 12 times average volumn.
Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO): shares of the world's largest network equipment maker rose 7.24% after the company posted strong second quarter earning which tops Wall Street estimates. The stock ends the day trading near 52 week high at $19.4 per share with record volumn of 200 million shares, the heaviest traded on Nasdaq today.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Aastrom Biosciences Inc. (ASTM): shares of stem cell research firm lost 9.57% as the company posts wider second quarter loss on higher costs and lower revenue. The stock ends at 52 week low of $1.85 with 5 million shares traded, more than four times average volumn.
USEC Inc. (USU): shares of Bethesda, MD based supplier of uranium to be used in nuclear power plants dipped 12.06% to $11.96 per share as the company stops paying dividend to fund the construction of plant between 2007 and 2011. Close to seven times average volumn of 5.5 million shares have exhanged hands.
Blue Nile Inc. (NILE): the online retailer of diamonds and jewelry posted dissappointing fourth quarter earning which cause the sell-off that send the shares down 9.81% to $33.63 per share on 15 times average volumn of 5.2 million shares.

Stock on the Move - February 7

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Raindance Communications Inc. (RNDC) : shares of Louisville, CO based web conference service provider surged 29.56% on acquisition by rival West Corp. (WSTC). The stock ends the day at near 52 week high of $2.63 per share on 50 times average volumn of 15 million shares.
Walt Disney Co. (DIS): strong earning and sale of ABC radio push shares of the Burbank, CA based Disneyland theme park owner up 6.97% to $26.7 per share. 48 million shares have exchanged hands, almost 5 times of average volumn.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Conexant Systems Inc. (CNXT): shares of Newport Beach, CA based broadband communications chip maker plunged 19.64% or $0.66 to $2.7 per share on patent case against the company's GlobespanVirata unit filed by Texas Instruments(TXN) and Standford University. 91 million shares have exchanged hands making the stock the second heaviest traded on Nasdaq. However the stock rose 8% in after-hour trading as the sell-off during the session was over-done.
Under Armour Inc. (UARM): shares of Baltimore, MD based seller of sports apparel lost 21.07% to $30.94 on poor earning forecast for the current period. 5 times average volumn of 7.3 million shares have exchanged hands.

Stock on the Move - February 6

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

Lafarge North America (LAF): shares of Herndon, VA based construction material supplier surged $17.89 or 27.84% on buyout bids from its majortiy stockholder, Lafarge S. A. (LR). The stock ends the day at new 52 week high of $82.14 per share with record volumn of 10 million, about 25 times of average volumn.
Sify Ltd. (SIFY): shares of India based Internet service provider rose 23.65% on upbeat fourth quarter forecast from CEO and surging benchmark stock index of India. Seven million shares, about six times normal volumn, pushed the stock to new 52 high of $13.33 per share.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV (CBI): shares of Netherlands based construction and engineering firm plunged 23% to $22.33 per share on ousting of the company's top executives. The stock was the eleventh most heaviest traded on NYSE with 17 million, about 25 times of normal volumn.
Blue Coat Systems Inc. (BCSI): third quarter earning shortfall and analysts downgrades send shares of Sunnyvale, CA based network equipment maker down 38.66% to $24.74 per share as 17 times normal volumn of 8 million shares exchanged hands.

Stock on the Move - February 3

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

China Energy Saving Technology(CESV): shares of Hong Kong based energy-asving products maker in China surged 14.93% to $7.85 per share on 16 times average volumn of 12 million shares traded. Apparently no news is fueling the surge today.
Mylan Laboratories Inc. (MYL): shares of Canonsburg, PA based drug maker and distributor rose 10.47% on strong quarterly earning and analyst upgrades. The stock was traded at near 52 week high at $21.32 per share at the closing bell with 10 million shares exchanged hands, about seven times more than average volumn.

Stocks Drop on Heavy Volumn:

OccuLogic Inc. (RHEO): poor trail result of the Mississauga, Canada based biotech firm's RHEO system triggered the sell-off which send the stock price down $8.65 or 67.84% with record volumn of 21 million shares and to record 52 week low of $4.1 per share.
China Development Group (CTDC): shares of the Hong Kong based network security software maker plunged 20.66% as Nasdaq halts the trading of the stock for additional information request. The stock was still trading at $2.1 per share last week but went as high as $12.39 per share today on heavy trading of 9.1 million shares.