An unexpected drop in first time applications for unemployment benefits lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow rising 43 points to 16,486. Nasdaq gained 14 points to 4369.

On the upside

SunEdison (NYSE: SUNE) narrowed second quarter losses more than expected as revenue rose.

Lime Energy (Nasdaq: LIME) won new utility program contracts totaling approximately $180 million.

Horizon Pharma (Nasdaq: HZNP) widened second quarter losses but the results were better than expected and the company forecast fiscal 2015 revenue above analyst estimates.

On the downside

Thoratec (Nasdaq: THOR) disappointed with lower second quarter earnings and revenue prompting downgrades.

Nanosphere (Nasdaq: NSPH) widened losses for the second quarter even as revenue rose.

zulilly (Nasdaq: ZU) reported sharply higher second quarter earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations but the stock price dropped.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 5 points to 1925. Bitcoin added $1 to $582.