The markets traded flat during the midday with the Dow easing 2 points to 18,016. Nasdaq edged up a fraction to 4,894.

On the upside

The Securities and Exchange Commission concluded its investigation of Kandi Technologies (Nasdaq: KNDI) and will not be taking enforcement action against the company.

Bank of America/Merill Lynch upgraded Sarepta Therapeutics (Nasdaq: SRPT) from a Neutral rating to a Buy rating.

Atossa Genetics (Nasdaq: ATOS) will exhibit at the 8th Annual International Symposium on the Breast from February 19 - 21 and The National Consortium of Breast Centers Meeting from March 14-18.

On the downside

Signal Genetics (Nasdaq: SGNL) priced its public offering of more than 3.2 million common shares at the discounted price of $2.80 per share.

Gulfmark Offshore (NYSE: GLF) reported sharply lower fourth quarter earnings as revenue slipped and warned of decreased demand.

Falling gold prices weighed down shares of Gold Fields (NYSE: GFI).

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 5 to 4 on the NYSE while advancers edged out decliners by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 eased a point to 2095. Bitcoin rose $8 to $242.