Tuesday's Small-Cap Winners & Losers

Small-cap stocks traded beneath most of the market for the third straight session, and UTStarcom (UTSI) was among the most prominent losers.

Shares of the Alameda, Calif., telecom firm slid 17.6% to $3.90 after announcing an independent review of sales contracts with China-based customers, which "could impact" past relevant revenue and possibly further delay the filing of its delinquent and upcoming regulatory reports. The company also said its prior stock-option-grant review will result in about a $28 million noncash restatement from 2000 through 2006.

Moissanite-jewels distributor Charles & Colvard (CTHR), based in Morrisville, N.C., sliced its second-quarter income in half from last year to 3 cents a share, or $529,000. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were looking for the company to flat-line. Shares tumbled 18.7% to $4.23.

Also turning in disappointing financials was Marten Transport (MRTN). The Wisconsin-based trucking company posted a shrinking second-quarter profit of 20 cents a share that widely missed the 29-cent analyst consensus. Revenue, at $138.8 million, was also lower than expected. Shares surrendered 15% to $15.06.

Volterra Semiconductor (VLTR), of Fremont, Calif., shed 11.6% after swinging to a wider loss than what the Street had forecast. That pressured the Russell 2000 Index, which plummeted 3% to 810.64. The S&P SmallCap 600 slumped 11.39 points, or 2.6%, to 426.35.

On the other hand, Virginian real estate investment trust Republic Property Trust (RPB) soared 23% after agreeing to sell itself to Liberty Property Trust (LRY) for $14.70 a share in cash -- a 28% premium to its latest closing price. The $850 million deal should close in the fourth quarter. Republic shares were trading at $14.12 as Liberty Property lost 6.4% to $40.17.