A drop in first time applications for unemployment benefits lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow rising 25 points to 17,837. Nasdaq gained 14 points to 5,116.
On the upside
Shares of KaloBios Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: KBIO) surged again.
Bargain hunters lifted shares of Aeterna Zentaris (Nasdaq: AEZS).
Guess? (NYSE: GES) reported third quarter earnings that beat expectations.
On the downside
Fourth quarter earnings and revenue for HP (NYSE: HPQ) fell short of expectations.
Abengoa Yield (Nasdaq: ABY) held discussions with its creditors to begin insolvency proceedings.
Shares of Brocade Communications (Nasdaq: BRCD) extended its losses.
In the broad market, declining issues barely edged out advancers by a slim margin on the NYSE while advancers outpaced decliners by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added a point to 2,090. Bitcoin rose $4 to $323.
