Mid Afternoon Top-5 and Bottom-5 Percentage Gainers (NSM, ISPH, MRK, QCOR, PK, AAU, DGW, LEDS, MERU, WMGI, ZSTN)

The top-5 and bottom-5 percentage gainers in trading action thus far are: Best 1) National Semiconductor NSM: A bid from Texas Instruments to buy the company for $25 a share has the stock up a monstrous 71.57% to $24.14. 2) Inspire Pharmaceuticals ISPH: After a trading halt, equity in the company has popped 24.5% to $4.95 on news that Merck MRK will purchase the entity for $5 per share in cash. 3) Questcor Pharmaceuticals QCOR: The company's release of preliminary operating metrics for its March quarter after the bell yesterday is stoking a 22.45% jump to $18.27 in today's action. 4) Procera Networks PKT: Shares of this broadband service consulting company have surged almost 16% to $10.80 in the early afternoon hours. Investors are reacting to reports that the company was awarded two initial orders from European service providers with a total value of over $2.75 million. 5) Almaden Minerals AAU: After starting the day in neutral territory, equity of the company is building on an early morning run, currently up 15% to $4.64; already trading more than three times daily volume. Worst 1) Duoyuan Global Water DGW: Continuing yesterday's freefall, shares of this company are down just over 21% to $3.14 this afternoon. Allegations of fraud on financial reports surfaced yesterday, which initially prompted the plunge. The scandal led the CFO to resign earlier today. 2) SemiLEDS LEDS: A second-quarter loss along with an expected loss in the current quarter have knocked the stock down 18% to $11.84. 3) Meru Networks MERU: A downgrade to neutral from outperform by Cowen is taking its toll. Shares are down over just under 16% to $15.90 in afternoon trading; they had been down as much as 20.5% earlier in the morning. 4) Wright Medical Group WMGI: This medical device company is extending its morning slide. Shares are currently taking a11.7% hit to $15.13. Earlier today the company announced the appointment of Chairman David Stevens as interim President and CEO. 5) ZST Digital Networks ZSTN: The equity began the day slightly in the red, but selling volume picked up at 10 a.m. EST and has pushed the stock down 11.2% to $4.94.