Services Sector Unusual Volume: Empire Resources (NASDAQ:ERS), Noah Education Holdings (NYSE:NED), World Energy Solutions (NASDAQ:XWES), Penske Automotive Group (NYSE:PAG)

Empire Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERS), a distributor of value added, semi-finished metal products, announced on March 31, 2014 that net sales for the fourth quarter of 2013 were$112.4 million, an increase of 3% from the fourth quarter of 2012, and 11% lower than the third quarter of 2013.  The improvement compared with the 2012 fourth quarter reflected increased sales in Europe, Latin America and North America, offset by lower sales in the Australia/New Zealand region.  Sequentially, sales were higher in Australia/New Zealand and Europe and lower in the Americas. Empire Resources Inc (NASDAQ:ERS) shares after opening at $4.12 moved to $4.14 on last trade day and at the end of the day closed at $4.10. Company price to sales ratio in past twelve months was calculated as 0.07 and price to cash ratio as 16.01. Empire Resources Inc (NASDAQ:ERS) showed a negative weekly performance of -3.53%.

Noah Education Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NED) announced that the Company has entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Rainbow Education Holding Limited (“Parent”) and Rainbow Education Merger Sub Holding Limited (“Merger Sub”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, pursuant to which Parent will acquire the Company for US$2.85 per ordinary share or US$2.85 per American Depositary Share of the Company (“ADS”, each representing one ordinary share of the Company). This represents a 26.7% premium over the closing price of US$2.25 per ADS as quoted by the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) on December 23, 2013, the last trading day prior to the Company’s announcement on December 24, 2013 that it had received a “going private” proposal, and a 21.5% 32.3% and 49.0% premium to the volume-weighted average closing price of the Company’s ADSs during the 30, 90 and 180 trading days prior to December 24, 2013, respectively.  Noah Education Holdings Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:NED) shares advanced 1.85% in last trading session and ended the day on $2.75. NED return on equity ratio is recorded as 2.30% and its return on assets is 1.80%. Noah Education Holdings Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:NED) yearly performance is 65.66%.

World Energy Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: XWES), a leading energy management services firm, on March 31, 2014  announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. Cash and cash equivalents at year end were $1.7 million, down from $3.3 million in 2012, as the Company paid $4.7 million in acquisition and debt obligations in 2013, Deferred revenue increased $2.1 million to $7.5 million for the year, In December 2013 World Energy Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:XWES) shares moved down -3.75% in last trading session and was closed at $4.63, while trading in range of $4.60-$4.76. World Energy Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:XWES) year to date performance is 8.94%.

Penske Automotive Group (NYSE:PAG) was upgraded by stock analysts at Sterne Agee from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report issued on Wednesday, StockRatingsNetwork reports. Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG) weekly performance is 5.82%. On last trading day company shares ended up $44.20. Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG) distance from 50-day simple moving average is 2.88%. Analysts mean target price for the company is $44.89.