The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow falling 18 points to 10,154 as retail sales unexpectedly dropped last month while consumer sentiment climbed. Nasdaq rose 11 points to 2230.
On the upside
Danone North America will acquire Medical Nutrition USA (Nasdaq: MDNU) in a deal valued at approximately $62.3 million.
Borders Group (NYSE: BGP) eliminated an undisclosed number of positions at its British unit Paperchase.
Buckeye Partners (NYSE: BPL) and Buckeye GP Holdings (NYSE: BGH) will merge.
On the downside
RAIT Financial Trust (NYSE: RAS) entered an agreement to exchange senior convertible notes with common shares.
China-Biotics (NYSE: CHBT) blamed one time charges for sharply lower fourth quarter earnings.
Superior Energy (NYSE: SPN) said that the six month moratorium on deepwater drilling will lower earnings in the second half of the year by up to 20 cents per share.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by more than 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks added 2 points to 642.
