A surge in July housing starts lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow gaining 53 points to 16,892. Nasdaq rose 9 points to 4517.

On the upside

China Finance Online (Nasdaq: JRJC) extended its gains.

Former Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO) chief executive Julian Geiger will return to ailing retailer to replace Thomas Johnson.

Vringo (NYSE: VRNG) chief financial officer Anastasia Nyrkovskaya bought shares of the intellectual property company.

On the downside

Elizabeth Arden (Nasdaq: RDEN) widened fourth quarter losses more than expected as revenue dropped and warned of continued challenges in 2015.

Morgan Stanley initiated coverage of El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq: LOCO) with an Underweight rating.

BHP Billiton (NYSE: BBL) will spinoff its metals and mining business.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 6 points to 1977. Bitcoin rose $28 to $480.