Thursday's Small-Cap Winners & Losers

Align Technology(ALGN Quote) soared after the inventor of the Invisalign method of straightening teeth signed a preliminary deal to settle its litigation with OrthoClear. Shares surged $4.27, or 54.7%, to $12.07.

Banro(BAA Quote) gained after the Toronto-based gold exploration company said inferred mineral resources at its Twangiza project in the Congo have increased by 230% to 3.878 million ounces of gold. Shares were trading up 76 cents, or 9.55% to $8.72.

PolyOne(POL Quote) lost ground after the Avon Lake, Ohio-based polymer services company said it expects third-quarter sales and shipments to be lower than in the second quarter. Sales should improve compared with the third quarter of 2005, but the company said it expects shipments to be flat to marginally lower, reflecting higher average pricing than a year ago. Shares were trading down 85 cents, or 9.62%, to $7.99.

Financial Federal(FIF Quote) fell after the New York-based credit services company missed Wall Street's fourth-quarter earnings expectations by a penny. The company reported income of $11.5 million, or 43 cents a share, compared with $9.6 million, or 37 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were looking for earnings of 44 cents a share. The stock dropped $1.58, or 5.53%, to $27.01.