Friday's Small-Cap Winners & Losers

Jones Soda (JSDA) shares rocketed 21% after the Seattle-based soft-drink maker nearly tripled its fourth-quarter profits and beat expectations. Shares were rising $2.93 to $16.88.

AeroVironment (AVAV), which makes unmanned aircraft systems and energy technologies, said it earned $8.9 million, or 57 cents a share, in the third quarter, compared with $4.4 million, or 29 cents a share, last year. Revenue rose 30% to $46.3 million. Analysts were seeking 25 cents a share on $45.7 million in sales. Shares of the Monrovia, Calif., company were adding $2.13, or 9.9%, to $23.56.

Winston Hotels (WXH) stock was leaping after the Raleigh, N.C.-based real estate investment trust said it received a $15-a-share buyout offer from Inland American Real Estate Trust. Shares were up $1.26, or 9%, to $15.23

Zila (ZILA) jumped on narrowed losses and surging revenue for the quarter ended Jan. 31. Shares were climbing 17 cents, or 8.5%, to $2.17.

Air Methods (AIRM) surpassed two analysts' estimates by a penny, earning 10 cents a share in the fourth quarter. Shares were trading up $2, or 8.8%, to $24.62.

PeopleSupport (PSPT) was tanking more than 36% on plunging fourth-quarter profits of $4.2 million, or 18 cents a share, including income tax benefits of 11 cents. Last year the Los Angeles-based outsourcer earned 65 cents a share with a 51-cent income tax benefit. Analysts at Friedman Billings, Piper Jaffray and JMP downgraded the stock. Shares were losing $8.13 to $14.35.

NovAtel's (NGPS) fourth-quarter income was flat with last year at 52 cents a share, or $4.6 million. This met estimates, but the maker of global positioning systems brought in only $17.1 million revenue, which is short of the $18 million consensus target. Last year, the Canada-based company earned $4.3 million, or 49 cents a share, on sales of $13.6 million. Shares were slumping $5.36, or 12.5%, to $37.64.

Aries Maritime Transport (RAMS) sliced 13 cents off its quarterly dividend to 7 cents a share. The Greece-based shipping company was losing 76 cents, or 9%, to $7.70.

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