Micro Focus International will pay $73.3 million in cash to acquire NetManage Inc. ( Nasdaq: NETM).  Shares of the business software maker leaped $2.77 to $6.92....

Here are Thursdays biggest percentage gainers and losers in midday trading, along with top volume leaders, among companies with a market cap between $50 million and $750 million:Biggest percentage gainers:? NetManage, Inc. ( Nasdaq:NETM), up 66.7% to $6.92 after the Britain-based software firm Micro Focus International PLC announced early Thursday that it plans to buy NetManage for $73.3 million, or $7.20 a share in cash. The transaction is expected to close in June.? Encore Capital Group, Inc. ( Nasdaq:ECPG), up 29.1% to $8.65 after reporting early Thursday that its first-quarter net income rose to $7.5 million, or $0.32 per share, versus $5.7 million, or $0.24 per share, a year earlier. Wall Street expected earnings of $0.24 per share.? LHC Group, Inc. ( Nasdaq:LHCG), up 27.6% to $19.90 after the provider of health care services reported late Wednesday that its first-quarter profit totaled $5.4 million, or $0.31 per share, which beat Wall Street expectations of earning $0.29 per share. During the year-ago period, LHC earned $5.8 million, or $0.33 per share.Biggest percentage losers:? PharmaNet Development Group, Inc. ( Nasdaq: PDGI), down 28.4% to $17.08 after the drug development services company reported ghastly first-quarter results and lowered its full year guidance late Wednesday evening. The firm swung to a net loss on contract cancellations, while Wall Street was expecting a net profit of $0.30 per share. ? FGX International Holdings Ltd. ( Nasdaq:FGXI), down 20.8% to $10.33 after the maker of non-prescription eyewear said it expects second-quarter earnings in the range of $0.16 to $0.18 per share, versus Wall Street??s expectation of $0.39 per share.

An upbeat consumer spending report boosted the markets during the midday with the Dow leaping 184 points to 13,004. Nasdaq jumped 59 points to 2472.

NetManage, Inc. ( Nasdaq:NETM) shares are skyrocketing 66% after the Britain-based software firm Micro Focus International PLC announced early Thursday that it plans to buy NetManage for $73.3 million, or $7.20 a share in cash. The transaction is expected to close in June.In March, Rocket Softwares bid to acquire NetManage for $7.20 per share fell apart due to financing problems. Even though Rocket was able to get an extension on the deal, the software company was unable to secure financing before the required deadline.

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