Market Update

Shares of Tractor Supply Corp

gained about 6.2% after the company issued upbeat earnings forecast for the first quarter. It projects to report Q1 earnings of $0.53 to $0.55 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $0.32 per share. Tractor Supply lifted its 2012 profit forecast to $3.52 to $3.60 per share, versus its earlier view of $3.38 to $3.46 per share. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $3.51 per share. Shares of MAXIMUS

gained about 0.2% after the company announced its plans to buy Policy Studies Inc, a government health and human services provider. The deal is likely to close on April 30, 2012. Shares of Hercules Technology Growth Capital Inc

gained about 0.5% after the company priced an underwritten public offering of $43.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.00% senior unsecured notes due 2019. Shares of Range Resources Corp

gained about 2.1% after the company reported a 20% rise in its first-quarter production volumes. Range Resources' quarterly production climbed to 655.5 million cubic feet equivalent (mmcfe) net per day. Its oil production jumped 36% while natural gas liquids production gained 20%.