Today's Small-Cap Winners and Losers
02/09/06 - 04:10 PM EST
Shares of MGP Ingredients (MGPI Quote) fell after the Atchison, Kan., company's second-quarter earnings dropped from a year ago. The company earned $818,000, or 5 cents a share, compared with $1.4 million, or 8 cents a share, a year earlier.
Sales increased 24% from last year to $75.7 million. MGP, which makes ingredients derived from wheat, fell $1.83, or 10.6%, to $15.49 in recent trading. Beacon Roofing Supply (BECN Quote) gained more than 17% after the Peabody, Mass., roofing-materials distributor beat Wall Street's first-quarter earnings expectations. The company reported income of $12.9 million, or 46 cents a share, up from $8.7 million, or 32 cents a share, in the prior-year period. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting a profit of 38 cents a share. Sales increased 71% to $339.9 million. Shares of Beacon Roofing Supply gained $5.44 to $36.98. Jacuzzi Brands (JJZ Quote) advanced 7% after the West Palm Beach, Fla., whirlpool-bath maker posted first-quarter profits that essentially doubled from a year ago. The company earned $10.7 million, or 14 cents a share, vs. $5.5 million, or 7 cents a share, last year. Excluding one-time items, earnings slipped to 8 cents a share from 16 cents a share in the prior year. Sales were $267.1 million, down from $281.5 million for the first quarter a year ago. Looking ahead, the company increased its fiscal 2006 forecast for earnings from continuing operations by 2 cents to a range of 52 cents to 54 cents a share. Jacuzzi Brands gained 69 cents to $10.30 in recent trading. The Knot (KNOT Quote) saw its shares climb after the company beat Wall Street's fourth-quarter earnings expectations. The company, which operates a Web site offering wedding advice and services, earned $1.5 million, or 6 cents a share, in the quarter. The Knot made $185,000, or 1 cent a share, in the same quarter a year ago. Analysts were expecting income of 4 cents a share.



