Affymetrix, Joe's Jeans: Early Volume Plays

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Several stocks trading near $5 were poised to move on above-average volume during Thursday's session.

Affymetrix (AFFX) shares should rally Thursday after the genetic analysis company late Wednesday reported a fourth-quarter profit of 4 cents a share, surprising analysts who had forecasted a loss of 10 cents a share. Looking ahead to 2010, Affymetrix said it expects to generate improved revenue growth and to be profitable for the year. The 50-day average daily volume for Affymetrix is 1.49 million, according to the Nasdaq. Shares finished trading Wednesday at $5.67 and were up 18.9% in the premarket session.

RCM Technologies (RCMT) was indicated higher after the advanced information technology company approved a $7.5-million common stock repurchase. The 50-day average daily volume for RCM Technologies is 8,300. The stock finished unchanged Wednesday at $2.50 and rose 11.6% in the after-market session.

THQ (THQI) was poised to jump in trading Thursday even after the video-game maker late Wednesday reported a fiscal third-quarter profit of 35 cents a share, which fell short of the Thomson Reuters average estimate. However, THQ offered revenue and earnings guidance for its fiscal fourth quarter that is above Wall Street expectations. The 50-day average daily volume for THQ is 1.21 million. After finishing at $5.10 Wednesday, THQ shares gained 10.8% in the after-market session.

Joe's Jeans (JOEZ) should trade higher Thursday after the denim company reported a fourth-quarter profit of 33 cents a share, which handily beat the lone analyst estimate that called for a profit of 1 cent a share. Revenue of $25.2 million also beat the single analyst forecast. The 50-day average daily volume for Joe's Jeans is 343,000. The stock finished at $1.72 Wednesday and was up nearly 14% in late trading.

-- Written by Robert Holmes in Boston.

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