Stone Energy Corp. (Nasdaq:SGY), CVR Energy Inc. (Nasdaq:CVI) and Answers Corp. (Nasdaq:ANSW) are among the biggest percentage losers in Wednesday's trading among companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion.

Also included among the results: Rome Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq:ROME), Investors Title Co. (Nasdaq:ITIC), International Bancshares Corp. (Nasdaq:IBOC), Gamco Investors Inc. (Nasdaq:GBL), Westmoreland Coal Co. (Nasdaq:WLB) and Electro-Optical Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:MELA).

Also included among the results: Vivus Inc. (Nasdaq:VVUS), PHH Corp. (Nasdaq:PHH), Mercadolibre Inc. (Nasdaq:MELI), GTSI Corp. (Nasdaq:GTSI), Westmoreland Coal Co. (Nasdaq:WLB) and Oneida Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:ONFC).

Here are the biggest percentage gainers among small caps:

The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) is posting solid gains despite mounting fears of a recession. At 2:01 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had added 4.86 points, or 0.68%, to 718.43. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 44.61 points, or 0.35%, to 12,670.64.

Investors are in a bullish mood and the major U.S. indices have shaken their early losses and moved into the green despite news of a weak government jobs report.

The U.S. Labor Department reported before the opening that payrolls fell by 80,000 in March, the third consecutive month of declines. Economists were expecting to see a decline of 63,000.

Small-cap stocks stumbled out of the gate but surprisingly rose into positive territory shortly after 11 a.m. ET.

“Today started as if there wouldn’t be much reaction in the market place,” said Cem Hocaoglu, head of Quantitative Derivative Strategy at financial services firm Susquehanna Financial, in a phone interview. “It’s just . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) failed to hold mid-morning gains and slipped into negative territory, as investors’ concerns about weak job reports sent stocks plunging. Before the opening, the Labor Department reported that payrolls plunged a greater-than-expected 63,000 in February, heightening recession fears and causing gyrations early in the session.

The Russell 2000 shed 0.40%, or 2.67 points, to 660.11. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.22%, or 146.7 points, to 11,893.69.

Economists were forecasting an increase in payrolls of 25,000 for February. Today’s data come on the heels of a larger-than-anticipated decline in payrolls in January of 17,000.

The unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 4.8%, compared with 4.9% in January. Economists were projecting the unemployment rate to edge up to 5%.

Average hourly earnings rose by $0.05, or 0.3%, over the month, according to the Labor Department.

The Federal Reserve’s statement this morning that it will increase the amount of loans it makes to banks failed to calm concerns and buoy the market. Specifically, the central bank augmented auctions of four-week funds to banks to $50 billion from its original $30 billion planned for March 10 and March 24. The Fed also said it will avail an additional $100 billion through repurchase agreements.

In a statement, Fed officials also stipulated that the central bank will continue auctions for at least six months, and would increase the size of such auctions further if needed.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow failed to hold mid-morning gains and slipped into negative territory by midday, as investors’ concerns about weak job reports sent stocks plunging. Before the opening, the Labor Department reported that payrolls plunged a greater-than-expected 63,000 in February, heightening recession fears and causing gyrations early in the session.

At 2:45 p.m. ET, the small-cap index was down 6.95 points, or 1.05%, to 655.83. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had sunk 194.89 points, or 1.62%, to 11,845.50.

Economists were forecasting an increase in payrolls of 25,000 for February. Today’s data come on the heels of a larger-than-anticipated decline in payrolls in January of 17,000.

The unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 4.8%, compared with 4.9% in January. Economists were projecting the unemployment rate to edge up to 5%.

Average hourly earnings rose by $0.05, or 0.3%, over the month, according to the Labor Department.

The Federal Reserve’s statement this morning that it will increase the amount of loans it makes to banks failed to calm concerns and buoy the market. Specifically, the central bank augmented auctions of four-week funds to banks to $50 billion from its original $30 billion planned for March 10 and March 24. The Fed also said it will avail an additional $100 billion through repurchase agreements.

In a statement, Fed officials also stipulated that the central bank will continue auctions for at least six months, and would increase the size of such auctions further if needed.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the other major U.S. indices have sunk deeper into negative territory.

At 12:00 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had declined 11.39 points, or 1.66%, to 672.83. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had shed 177.88 points, or 1.45%, to 12,081.02.

The bears are out following worrying news from major corporate players. Chip maker Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) announced after the close on Monday that it has lowered its first-quarter gross margin forecast to 54% from 56% earlier due to lower-than-expected prices for some flash memory chips.

Elsewhere, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) reported before the opening that it may have to cut as many as 30,000 jobs over the next year and a half due to writedowns related to the subprime mortgage mess. Additionally, the New York-based bank might need to raise more capital to get over the current rough patch.

Speaking to the Independent Community Bankers of America, U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke called on mortgage lenders to help financially stretched borrowers avoid default.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is in negative territory and has lost more than the Dow on news reports that raise economic concerns.

At 12:31 p.m. ET, the small-cap index had declined 10.25 points, or 1.45%, to 695.07. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) was down 85.27 points, or 0.69%, to 12,291.71.

The bears are reigning supreme following news of economic reports that may hint inflation remains a concern despite lackluster economic growth.

The U.S. Labor Department reported that import prices jumped a more-than-expected 1.7% in January due to higher energy and food prices. The year-to-year rise in import prices was 13.7%, which is the biggest change since the measure was introduced in 1982.

The United States has long relied on cheap foreign imports to keep inflation in check, but the data on import prices suggest that may no longer be the case.

Adding to the economic worries was news the New York Federal Reserve said before the opening that its index of general business conditions fell to its lowest level since 2005.

That complicates the U.S. Federal Reserve’s task of keeping inflation low while simultaneously trying to stimulate the economy.

Separately, the Fed reported that industrial output rose 0.1% in January, matching expectations.

The small-cap index has been trending down out of the gate, occasionally recovering some lost ground with a brief spike. Coal companies are among the biggest losers, while airline companies are leading the winners.