Benzinga's Small Cap Movers for Wednesday January 9, 2013

Below are highlights from Benzinga's daily coverage of small cap securities making big moves:

Shares of NewLead Holdings

, the Pireaus, Greece vertically integrated shipping and commodity company that manages product tankers and dry bulk vessels, rose 167% Wednesday on 68 times average volume. NewLead announced Wednesday that the company received a capital contribution of industrial metal valued at $236.4 million for a 36.8% equity interest in NewLead. Upon completion of this transaction, it is expected that NewLead will have a total of 701,904,963 shares of common stock outstanding. NewLead will issue, following NASDAQ's approval, unregistered shares in exchange for the new investment. The new shareholder has agreed, subject to certain limited exceptions, not to pledge, borrow or dispose of the NewLead shares or otherwise transfer ownership of the shares until June 30, 2014. The new shareholder will not have board representation or other rights. NewLead Holdings closed at $1.87 on Wednesday.

Shares of Mattson Technology

, the Freemont, CA designer and manufacturer of semiconductor wafer processing equipment used in the fabrication of integrated circuits, rose 17% Wednesday on 3 times average volume. Mattson Technology announced Wednesday that it has shipped an etch system to a major foundry, the sixth semiconductor manufacturer now using its etch systems. The etch system will support development and production of advanced devices at leading-edge technology nodes at this foundry's R&D facility. Mattson Technology closed at $1.22 on Wednesday.

Shares of Sharps Compliance

, the Houston, TX full-service provider of solutions for the cost-effective management of medical waste, used healthcare materials and unused dispensed medications, rose 13.75% Wednesday on 4 times average volume. Sharps Compliance announced Monday that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program effective January 3, 2013, authorizing the Company to repurchase in the aggregate up to $3 million of its outstanding common stock over a two-year period. Sharps Compliance closed at $2.37 on Wednesday.