Private sector employers created 201,000 jobs in March to lift the markets to a higher close with the Dow gaining 71 points to 12,350. Nasdaq climbed 19 points to 2776.
On the upside
InterDigital (Nasdaq: IDCC) priced its private offering of $200 million in senior convertible notes.
President Obama's plan to lower foreign oil imports sparked speculation that the federal government will support natural gas vehicles lifting shares of natural gas engine company Westport Innovations (Nasdaq: WPRT).
Fourth quarter earnings surged for Oxford Industries (NYSE: OXM) and apparel company forecast fiscal 2011 results ahead of estimates.
On the downside
Shares of Horizon Lines (NYSE: HRZ) continued falling over bankruptcy concerns.
Universal Travel Group (NYSE: UTA) delayed release of its 2010 earnings report.
Bank of Ireland (NYSE: IRE) stock will be suspended from trading tomorrow to prevent panic selling when stress test results are released.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by nearly 7 to 3 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks soared 10 points to 840.
