Higher close as retail sales soar

The markets closed higher with the Dow gaining 38 points to 18,039 as retail sales rose more than expected. Nasdaq rose 5 points to 5,082.

On the upside

Shares of Axovant Sciences (NYSE: AXON) surged on its first trading day.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE: KKD) reported higher first quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates.

Biotie Therapies (Nasdaq: BITI) stock surged in its market debut.

On the downside

A jury ruled against the plaintiff in a patent infringement case that Marathon Patent Group (Nasdaq: MARA) supported.

Shares of Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) extended its losses.

Noranda (NYSE: NOR) reached an interim agreement with the Government of Jamaica over production levies.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 3 to 2 on the NYSE while advancers barely edged out decliners by a slim margin on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 3 points to 2108. Bitcoin edged up a fraction to $230.