Friday's Small-Cap Winners & Losers

Small-cap stocks surged higher than the cheery broad market Friday, and ShengdaTech (SDTH) was among the biggest gainers, soaring 22% on solid 2007 guidance.

The China-based company, which makes nano-precipitated calcium carbonate and coal-based chemicals, expects a profit of 43 cents to 45 cents a share on revenue ranging between $96 million and $98 million. The analyst who follows the company is seeking 43 cents a share on $95.9 million in sales, according to Thomson Financial. Shares added $1.03 to $5.72.

Silverleaf Resorts (SVLF), meanwhile, upped its own full-year outlook. The Dallas-based timeshare operator now expects to make 70 cents to 72 cents a share, or $27.5 million to $28.5 million. Prior guidance had earnings at $25.5 million. Shares climbed 12.6% to $5.29.

Coinmach Service(DRA), a laundry-equipment-services company based in Plainview, N.Y., was also higher on news it will sell itself to investment firm Babcock & Brown for $1.33 billion in cash, including debt assumption. The deal, which will probably close in the third quarter, values shares at $13.55 apiece -- a 15.7% premium to Thursday's closing price.

Coinmach shares leapt 13.3% to $13.27 in support of the Russell 2000, which was lately soaring 1.3% along with the S&P SmallCap 600.

But among the scarce small-cap losers was a component of both indices -- leaf-tobacco purveyor Alliance One International (AOI). Shares slid 8.2% after fiscal fourth-quarter revenue plunged 25.5% to $433.2 million, while 2007 sales, at $1.98 billion, came in below the only analyst's forecast. Despite also topping the sole full-year income estimate, the Morrisville, N.C., company lately traded at $10.68.

And China's Simcere Pharmaceutical (SCR) fell 6% to $14.86 on word it will buy another 10% equity stake in Shandong Simcere Medgenn Bio-Pharmaceutical for $3.5 million (26.8 million yuan), a move that will give it 90% total ownership.

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