Wholesale prices eased 0.1% in December but the markets opened higher with the Dow gaining 29 points to 25,398 as crude oil prices edged up. Nasdaq rose 15 points to 7168.
On the upside
KB Home (NYSE: KBH) reported higher fourth quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates.
In response to widespread flu activity, Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) is urging people to get the flu vaccine.
Shanda Group increased its holdings in Community Health Systems (NYSE: CYH).
On the downside
Alamos Gold (NYSE: AGI) reported record gold production and sales for the fourth quarter but the stock price fell.
Investors locked in profits on Eastman Kodak (NYSE: KODK).
Profit taking weighed down shares of Cogint (Nasdaq: COGT).
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 3 to 1 on the NYSE and by 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 4 points to 2,752. Bitcoin crashed $793 to $13,685.