With the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new historical highs, a variety of companies have also made headlines today. From financial services to producers of toys and solar energy equipment, whether it’s earnings report or major deals announced, their stock prices have registered significant change.
Imperial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:IFT), a company that provides liquidity to possessors of illiquid assets, has seen its stock surge today after they have announced the execution of a 15 year, $300 million revolving credit facility. The company CFO, Rory O’Connell said this move aims to reshape the capital structure of Imperial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:IFT) and to mitigate liquidity risks of ceratin portfolios of the company. The share price has shot up 41% and has finished the trading session at $5.59.
Toy producer Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc (NYSE:BBW) is finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel after two years in the red. The financial results for the first quarter of 2013 show a 10% increase in the same-store sales, a 11% increase in sales in North America and 9.7% increase in sales across Europe. The revenues have increased by 8.5% compared to previous-year first quarter and reached $104 million. The company also reported earnings of $0.14 per diluted share, compared to the $-0.03 for Q1 of 2012. After being neglected for a long time by investors, the stock is up 33% today and has reached the price of $6.73 at 4:00 PM.
Having presented the earnings report yesterday, STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA) stock surged to a new 2013 high. The financial results for Q1 of 2013 have beat the market estimates for Earnings Per Share (EPS) and revenue. STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA) reported a 700% increase in adjusted EPS to $0.08, higher than the expected $0. The revenue increased 16% in comparison to Q1 of 2012 and has reached $18 million, again beating the market estimate of $17.31 million. The stock ended today’s trading session at $8.43 – a 29% surge.
Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP) made headlines today, after it was upgraded by Northland Capital Partners from Under Perform to Market Perform and a new price target of $16.50 to $27.00 has been set. Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP) has also reported positive financial results for the first quarter of 2013. Although the company is still bleeding money, it has registered a 68% increase in sales, which add up to $46.1 million. Q1 earnings per share of $-0.06 have met the Wall Street expectations. As a result, the stock price ended today’s trading session at $32.16 – a 27% increase.
Another stock that has caught the eye is SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR). The stock price fluctuated around the opening value of $13 up until 3:00 PM when the financial results for the first quarter were announced. The analysts expected earnings of $0.06 per share and revenues of $507.73 million. The actual results were earnings of $0.22 and revenue of $635.4 million, thus beating the Wall Street estimates. The stock price shot up 17% and registered a closing price of $15.29.
