A mild 0.3% increase in consumer prices lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow gaining 59 points to 17,110. Nasdaq climbed 29 points to 4,453.

On the upside

CIT Group (NYSE: CIT) will acquire OneWest Bank in a cash and stock deal valued at approximately $3.4 billion.

Second quarter earnings dropped for Crocs (Nasdaq: CROX) but the results were better than expected and the company announced strategic plans to improve and grow its business.

CombiMatrix (Nasdaq: CBMX) will provide the Stratose directly managed PPO network with its suite of molecular diagnostic solutions.

On the downside

Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) reported higher second quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates but the company cut its full year shipment outlook.

Fourth quarter earnings and revenue climbed for New Oriental Education & Technology Group (NYSE: EDU) but the company forecast current quarter revenue below expectations.

Tallgrass Energy Partners (NYSE: TEP) priced its public offering of 7 million common units at the discounted price of $41.07 per common unit.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 4 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 7 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 8 points to 1982. Bitcoin held steady at $618.