Whitehall Jewellers, Inc. said Tuesday that it was contacted by the New York Stock Exchange “because of unusual market activity in our stock.” Its shares fell nearly 22 percent to $1.16 cents, its lowest level since 2000. The company, in a brief statement said it does not comment on trading activity of its stock.

The Chicago-based retailer jeweler, which in its first quarter posted a widening loss due to declining sales, said on Aug. 26 that it had delayed reporting its second-quarter results, originally scheduled for Sept. 1. It did not provide a new date.

Whitehall Jewellers, Inc. is a national specialty retailer of fine jewelry, operating 388 stores in 38 states in regional and super regional shopping malls under the names Whitehall Co. Jewellers, Lundstrom Jewelers, and Marks Bros. Jewelers.

JCK