The markets closed mixed with the Dow rising 9 points to 17,660 as first time applications for unemployment benefits rose last week. Nasdaq lost 8 points to 4,717.

On the upside

Tutor Perini (NYSE: TPC) reported sharply higher first quarter earnings that tripled to surpass analyst estimates by a wide margin.

Laredo Petroleum (NYSE: LPI) reported a smaller than expected loss for the first quarter.

Shares of EXCO Resources (NYSE: XCO) extended its gains.

On the downside

Papa Murphy's (Nasdaq: FRSH) disappointed with sharply lower first quarter earnings that fell short of expectations.

Third quarter earnings for Matrix Services (Nasdaq: MTRX) missed estimates by a wide margin prompting the company to lower its full year revenue forecast.

Ciber (NYSE: CBR) fell to a loss for the first quarter as revenue dropped.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 eased to 2,050. Bitcoin edged up to $446.