Small-Cap Winners & Losers: Beacon Power

Small-cap stocks opened higher, along with the broader market, Wednesday only to slip back onto the losing side of the baseline. The Russell 2000 was down 0.1% at 733.48, and the SmallCap 600 slipped 0.1% to 387.85.

Shares of Air Transport (ATSG Quote) plummeted to new lows, lately losing 43% to $1.68. The Wilmington, Ohio, provider of air cargo transportation said DHL is planning to remove from its network 39 of the 55 DC-9s provided by Air Transport's subsidiary ABX Air.

Meanwhile, United Community Financial (UCFC Quote), the holding company for Home Savings and Loan, lost 12.3% to $6.36. The Youngstown, Ohio-based company announced a dividend of 4.75 cents a share payable June 18. The dividend represents a 50% reduction from the previous payment.

Also falling, Prospect Capital (PSEC Quote), a New York private equity company, slipped 8.7% to $14.53. The company announced a stock offering of 3.25 million shares at $14.90 a share.

On the winning side, Akeena Solar (AKNS Quote), a Los Gatos, Calif.-based maker of solar power systems, jumped 15% to $6.77. Kaufman Brothers initiated coverage on the stock with a buy rating.

Also rising, shares of Daktronics (DAKT Quote), which makes visual displays for sports and theaters, added 14% to $18.81. The Brookings, S.D., company posted income of $5.7 million, or 14 cents a share, vs. $110.8 million, or 9 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters were looking for 6 cents a share.

Electric utility company Beacon Power (BCON Quote) climbed 12% to $1.91. Kaufman Brothers initiated coverage on the Tyngsboro, Mass.-based firm with a buy rating.

Finally, Gevity HR (GVHR Quote), a staffing and outsourcing services provider based in Bradenton, Fla., announced a 5-cent dividend, payable July 31 to shareholders of record on July 15.