Escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia weighed the markets down during the midday with the Dow losing 26 points to 17,013. Nasdaq rose 6 points to 4538.

On the upside

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice will invest $500 million in CHC Group (NYSE: HELI) through a private placement.

Keurig Green Mountain (Nasdaq: GMCR) entered a multi-year licensing agreement to manufacture and distribute Kraft (Nasdaq: KRFT) coffee in Keurig packs.

ParkerVision (Nasdaq: PRKR) added Samsung as an additional defendant to its patent infringement suit.

On the downside

China New Borun (NYSE: BORN) reported lower second quarter earnings.

Ford (NYSE: F) recalls more than 160,000 cars.

Shares of Pioneer Energy Services (NYSE: PES) continued falling.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 slipped 2 points to 1990. Bitcoin eased $2 to $516.