The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow rocketing 225 points to 16,617 as crude oil prices rebounded. Nasdaq leaped 60 points to 4,564.
On the upside
Shares of Radius Health (Nasdaq: RDUS) soared after competitor Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) reported disappointing results for its rival osteoporosis treatment.
Century Aluminum (Nasdaq: CENX) extended its gains.
Another series of raids conducted by the Brazilian police in the ongoing corruption case involving Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) brought the investigation closer to a possible impeachment of president Dilma Rousseff.
On the downside
Wells Fargo initiated coverage of Valeant Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: VRX) with an Underperform rating.
Credit Suisse downgraded Stifel Financial (NYSE: SF) from a Neutral rating to an Underperform rating.
Dean Foods (NYSE: DF) reported higher fourth quarter earnings but the company sold 3.6% fewer gallons of product compared with last year.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliner by a margin of nearly 4 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 3 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 surged 23 points to 1,941. Bitcoin added $1 to $437.
