Higher open on jobless claims

First time applications for unemployment benefits rose last week but the figure hovered near its lowest level in fourteen years. The markets opened higher with the Dow rising 61 points to 17,673. Nasdaq gained 22 points to 4,698.

On the upside

Cyber-Ark Software (Nasdaq: CYBR) reported higher third quarter earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations and forecast current quarter results ahead of estimates.

Bloomberg reported that Hasbro (Nasdaq: HAS) has engaged in discussions to purchase DreamWorks Animation (Nasdaq: DWA).

ZaZa Energy (Nasdaq: ZAZA) swung to a profit for the third quarter as revenue more than doubled.

On the downside

J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) narrowed third quarter losses but revenue fell to miss expectations.

Investors locked in profits on Viggle (Nasdaq: VGGL).

Revance Therapeutics (Nasdaq: RVNC) widened losses for the third quarter.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by nearly 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 4 points to 2043. Bitcoin gained $18 to $433.