Top 5 Penny Companies To Watch In Right Now

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Ultratech (NASDAQ: UTEK  ) got ultra crushed today, down by 18% at the low, following a first-quarter earnings release that didn't meet expectations.

So what: Revenue in the first quarter totaled $60.6 million, which didn't stack up favorably to the $65.3 million in sales that investors were hoping for. Ultratech posted net income of $13.7 million, or $0.48 per share, which was just a penny shy of the $0.49 per share profit the Street was modeling for. CEO Arthur W. Zafiropoulo's comments may have also rattled investors.

Now what: Zafiropoulo said that results were in line with expectations, but reiterated that the near-term outlook is uncertain and "will be challenging." However, the executive believes that conditions will improve during the second half of the year from anticipated increases in semiconductor capital equipment spending. For now, investors seem to be moving to the sidelines until things get better.

Top 5 Penny Companies To Watch In Right Now: Midway Gold Corporation(MDW)

Midway Gold Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. Its principal properties include the Spring Valley, Midway, Pan, and Gold Rock gold and silver mineral properties located in Nevada; and the Golden Eagle gold mineral property located in Washington. The company was formerly known as Red Emerald Resource Corp. and changed its name to Midway Gold Corp. in July 2002. Midway Gold Corp. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chuck Carlson]

  The company Midway Gold Corp. (AMEX: MDW) is in charge of exploring and capturing gold deposits in North America.  Midway Gold Corp was alerted by investorgoodies for a buy at $0.61 and it is now currently at $2.32 making over 200% increase in price over a one year period.

Top 5 Penny Companies To Watch In Right Now: Helios Strategic Income Fd Inc (HSA)

Helios Strategic Income Fund, Inc. is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc. It operates as a diversified and closed-end management investment company. The fund primarily invests in debt securities and equity securities. Its portfolio of investments includes investments in corporate bonds, home equity loans, commercial loans, franchise loans, equipment leases, manufactured housing, common stock, collateralized debt obligations, certificate-backed obligations, collateralized mortgage obligations, and government agency securities. It was formerly known as RMK Strategic Income Fund, Inc. Helios Strategic Income Fund, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Best China Stocks To Buy Right Now: Select Comfort Corporation(SCSS)

Select Comfort Corporation develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes adjustable-firmness beds and other sleep-related accessory products in the United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Australia. It offers its mattresses under the Sleep Number brand name. The company also provides a line of accessory bedding products, including specialty pillows, mattress pads, comforters, sheets, and leg options. Select Comfort Corporation distributes its products through retail, direct marketing, and e-commerce channels. As of January 2, 2010, it had 403 company-owned stores and 146 retail partner doors. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Top 5 Penny Companies To Watch In Right Now: ChinaCast Education Corporation(CAST)

ChinaCast Education Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides post-secondary education and e-learning services in China. The company operates in two segments, E-learning and Training Service Group and Traditional University Group. The E-learning and Training Service Group provides post secondary education distance learning services that enable universities and other higher learning institutions to provide nationwide real-time distance learning services. It also provides K-12 educational services, such as broadcast multimedia educational content services to primary, middle, and high schools; and vocational/career training services. The Traditional University Group segment operates private residential universities that offer four-year bachelor?s degree and three-year diploma programs in finance, economics, trade, tourism, advertising, IT, music, foreign languages, tourism, hospitality, computer engineering, law, and art. The company also provides logistic service s. ChinaCast Education Corporation was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.

Top 5 Penny Companies To Watch In Right Now: Air Transport Services Group Inc(ATSG)

Air Transport Services Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides aircraft, airline operations, and other related services primarily to the shipping and transportation industries. The company provides air cargo transportation services; airlift services, including aircraft, aircraft flight crews, and maintenance services; airlift services to other airlines, freight forwarders, and the U.S. military; freight transportation and supply chain management services; passenger transportation primarily to the U.S. military; air charter brokerage services, fuel management, and specialized cargo management services; and warehousing and cargo handling services, as well as leases aircraft. It also provides aircraft maintenance and modification services, aircraft part sales services, equipment leasing and maintenance services, mail handling services for the U.S. Postal Service, and specialized services for aircraft fuel management and freight logistics. The company operates in Europ e, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. As of December 31, 2009, its in-service fleet consisted of 62 aircraft. The company was formerly known as ABX Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Air Transport Services Group, Inc. in May 2008. Transport Services Group, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio.