Optimism in Small-Cap Markets for 2004
18 November 2003 - 9:36PM
PR Newswire (US)
Optimism in Small-Cap Markets for 2004 Investment Executives Polled
at Annual Paulson Investment Conference NEW YORK, Nov. 18
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Last week, Paulson Investment Company,
Inc. (Paulson Investment) polled executives at the 26th Annual
Westergaard SmallCap Conference regarding their outlook on
small-cap markets in 2004. 98 percent of respondents expect growth
in small-caps in 2004, with 56 percent anticipating significant
growth and 42 percent moderate growth, rather than negative or no
growth. "Our goal for the survey was to identify what the
investment community anticipates in small-cap market activity in
2004, including growth in industry segments and investment
banking," said Chet Paulson, chairman and founder of Paulson
Investment Company. Industries to watch When asked what three
small-cap sectors they anticipate will be most active in 2004,
nearly 70 percent of respondents cited biotechnology,
pharmaceuticals, and health care industries. Closely trailing was
the Internet content and commerce sector which was selected by 66
percent of respondents and the software, communications, security
and energy industries which were each selected by 30 percent of
respondents as being the most active. Investment banking activity
Almost all respondents expected to see small-cap investment banking
activity increase in 2004. More than 21 percent of respondents
predicted 0-20 percent growth. 40 percent anticipated growth of
20-40 percent in financing activity. The remaining 39 percent of
respondents expected growth of more than 40 percent. Socially
responsible investing Additionally, investors are beginning to
consider socially responsible practices when looking at potential
investments. 54 percent of respondents said that these practices
affect their investment decisions. Conference overview Paulson
Investment hosted more than 500 attendees at the Westergaard
SmallCap Conference in New York City on Nov. 11. Founded in 1978 by
John Westergaard, this conference provides emerging growth
companies with a forum for presenting to investment professionals
and offers insights into trends in the smallcap marketplace. This
year's keynote speaker was Lawrence Kudlow, co-host of CNBC's
"Kudlow & Cramer." Companies who presented at the conference
included: AdStar (NASDAQ:ADST) AVI BioPharma (NASDAQ:AVII) Bonso
Electronics (NASDAQ:BNSO) Charles & Colvard (NASDAQ:CTHR) CytRx
Corporation (NASDAQ:CYTR) DayStar Technologies (not publicly
traded) Digital Video Systems (NASDAQ:DVID) Genio Group (OTC.BB:
GNOI.OB) Global Axcess Corp. (OTC.BB:GLXS.OB) IMPCO Technologies
(NASDAQ:IMCO) I-Sector Corporation (NASDAQ:ISEC) Microvision, Inc.
(NASDAQ:MVIS), Milestone Scientific (AMEX:MS) Pacific CMA (OTC.BB:
PCCM.OB) Pacific Mercantile Bancorp (NASDAQ:PMBC) Path 1 Network
Technologies (AMEX:PNO) Pro-Dex (NASDAQ:PDEX) Q Comm International
(AMEX:QMM) Quantum Technologies (NASDAQ:QTWW) SuperGen, Inc.
(NASDAQ:SUPG) TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ:TASR) About Paulson
Investment Paulson Investment (http://www.paulsoninvestment.com/)
is a national leader in public offerings of small and emerging
growth companies with capital needs of $5 million to $40 million.
It has been the managing underwriter of more than 145 public
offerings, yielding approximately $950 million for client companies
since 1978. Paulson Investment was founded in 1970 by Chet Paulson
and is located in Portland, Ore. The foregoing is for informational
purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer to sell or a
solicitation to buy any securities mentioned in this press release.
Paulson Investment Company was the managing underwriter for one or
more public offerings for some of the companies mentioned in this
press release. Paulson Investment Company may make a market in the
securities of the companies mentioned in this press release. These
markets may, however, be discontinued at any time without notice.
Individuals associated with Paulson Investment Company may hold
securities of the companies mentioned in this press release and may
increase or decrease such holdings without notice. DATASOURCE:
Paulson Investment Company CONTACT: Ryan Leverenz, +1-917-639-4033,
or Web site: http://www.paulsoninvestment.com/
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