Markets extend gains

The markets extended its gains during the midday with the Dow surging 119 points to 18,252. Nasdaq gained 29 points to 4,992.

On the upside

Ohr Pharmaceutical (Nasdaq: OHRP) presented additional positive data from the IMPACT study interim analysis at the 38th Annual Macula Society Meeting.

Dr. David Rimm, professor of pathology and professor of medicine in medical oncology at Yale University School of Medicine will join Biocept (Nasdaq: BIOC) as a scientific advisor.

GrafTech International (NYSE: GTI) widened losses for the fourth quarter but the results were better than expected.

On the downside

A "60 Minutes" segment reported that Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL) sold laminate flooring that contained formaldehyde levels that were several times the legal limit.

Kosmos Energy (NYSE: KOS) must plug and abandon its CB-1 exploration well after encountering hydrocarbons.

Mitel (Nasdaq: MITL) will acquire Mavenir Systems (NYSE: MVNR) in a deal valued at approximately $560 million.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by nearly 3 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 8 points to 2112. Bitcoin added $5 to $260.