Friday's Small-Cap Winners & Losers

Vaalco Energy(EGY Quote) was gaining 3.6% on word the company has been added to the Russell 3000 Index.

Additionally, Vaalco said the production platform has arrived at its Avouma field off the coast of Gabon, and a 10-mile-long pipeline linking the platform to a floating production, storage and offloading facility should be completed next week. Shares of Vaalco were up 31 cents to $8.93.

99 Cents Only Stores(NDN Quote) advanced a day after saying its same-store sales for the first quarter ended June 30 rose 3.6%. Total sales climbed 7.7% to $263.6 million.

During the quarter, the discount retailer opened five stores in California. As of June 30, the company had 237 stores, compared with 225 stores a year ago. The company also said it filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicating it would be late filing its 2006 10-K report. The company expects to file by July 31. Shares gained 45 cents, or 4.2%, to $11.10.

Nashua (NSHA Quote), a maker of labels and specialty papers, was on the rise following the company's announcement that it received a favorable legal ruling from the Appellate Court of Illinois. On June 30, the court issued an order in the case filed by Phillippe Olczyk and others dismissing their appeal of a 2005 ruling in which Nashua was granted summary judgment.

The Appellate Court found that it lacked appellate jurisdiction, Nashua said. Under Illinois law, the plaintiffs have 21 days to seek a rehearing or up to 35 days in which to petition the Illinois Supreme Court to hear an appeal.

The suit was initially filed in 1996 against Cerion Technologies, Nashua and other defendants. The original complaint alleged that Cerion, a former unit of Nashua, had issued false and misleading statements and omitted the disclosure of certain material facts in connection with its initial public offering. The defendants denied the claims. Cerion ceased operations in 1998. Shares of Nashua were up 85 cents, or 12.8%, to $7.50.

Lesco(LSCO Quote), a provider of lawn-care and pest-control products, was losing one-third of its market value after cutting its forecast. Lesco is predicting net revenue growth of 5% to 6% for its stores segment and a decline of 34% to 35% in its direct segment this year. The company previously estimated a full-year increase of 10% to 12% in the stores and a decline of 14% to 15% in the direct business.

Based on the revisions, Lesco expects a loss of around $4 million for 2006. Additionally, Lesco said it will create a new sales representative organization that will resemble the model it disbanded in 2005. Lesco's shares sank $5.45, or 35%, to $10.11.

Aurizon Mines(AZK Quote) was lower after Northgate Minerals(NXG Quote) ended its bid to acquire the company. Northgate withdrew its offer when British Columbia's Court of Appeal said an injunction imposed by a lower court late last month is still in effect, preventing the acquisition from taking place.

Aurizon's management had opposed the takeover proposal from Northgate, saying the offer was inadequate and not in the best interest of its shareholders. Shares of Aurizon were down 15 cents, or 5.3%, to $2.70.