Thursday's Small-Cap Winners & Losers

Small-caps rallied Thursday, jumping slightly higher than their blue-chip counterparts but not surging as fast as the Nasdaq, which ended the day up 2.8%. The Russell 2000 was up 1.9% to 729, and the S&P SmallCap 600 climbed 1.7% to 385.

Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Volcom (VLCM Quote), which makes apparel for young men and young women, jumped 26% to $23.95 on first-quarter earnings of $9.3 million, or 38 cents a share, vs. $5.5 million, or 22 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were looking for 21 cents a share.

LHC Group (LHCG Quote), a provider of home health care, saw shares rise 25.5% to $19.57. The Lafayette, La., company reported income of $5.3 million, or 30 cents a share, including an after-tax loss from discontinued operations of a penny a share. The Street, which typically doesn't include one-time items in its estimates, had forecast 29 cents a share. In the year-ago quarter, the company posted a profit of $5.8 million, or 33 cents a share. ...