While the Dow Jones Industrial Average has...

While the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen 18% from its peak near 3,000, the NASDAQ composite is down 30% and is at a three-year low, according to Irving Katz, director of research for Thomas Green/San Diego Securities. The Value Line Composite stock index, which closely mimics small stock performance, is selling at a five-year low, Katz said.

Trading volume in over-the-counter stocks is at its lowest level in two years, and the smaller-capitalization stocks have suffered the greatest, with volume all but non-existent and prices headed down, Katz said.

Last week saw nine new lows in San Diego stocks. Burnham Pacific Properties hit a new low of $10.50 after reporting poor third-quarter earnings. Intermark sank to a new low of $2.50, despite announcing that it had hired a financial adviser to oversee the sale of its National Airmotive division.

Advanced Marketing Services recorded a new low of $1 on heavy volume but recovered to close the week at $1.625. The company announced a 1-million share buyback, which, if completed, would retire 17% of outstanding shares.

Xscribe reported a new low of $.03125 as Quixote terminated a planned acquisition at $.25 per share. Other new lows were reported by Great American Bank, Molecular Biosystems, IRT Corp., DH Technology and Infrasonics.

There were a number of good gains for the week, Katz said, with Price Co. up $3 to $33.50 as it continued to recover from its low of $26.50 just three weeks ago. Price’s 1990 high was $48.25, Katz said.

HomeFed Corp. gained $1, to $5.875, after Idanta Partners disclosed its recent purchase of 7.2% of the thrift’s outstanding shares. Other good gains were made by Xytronyx, up $1.75; Molecular Biosystems, which rebounded from its low to close the week at $14.75, and Gensia Pharmaceuticals, up $1.125. Magma Power and WD-40 each gained $1.