The market closed flat with the Dow holding steady at 18,285 despite a greater than expected increase in first time applications for unemployment benefits. Nasdaq climbed 19 points to 5,090.

On the upside

Neostem (Nasdaq: NBS) received a $17.7 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Shares of Harvest Natural Resources (NYSE: HNR) rose again after reporting a narrower first quarter loss on Tuesday.

Covisint (Nasdaq: COVS) widened fourth quarter losses but revenue rose.

On the downside

Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) disappointed with lower fourth quarter earnings and revenue that fell short of analyst expectations.

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DRNA) priced its public offering of 2.75 million common shares at the discounted price of $17.75 per share.

Chanticleer Holdings (Nasdaq: HOTR) widened losses for the first quarter.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 4 points to 2130. Bitcoin added $1 to $235.