Crude oil prices climbed but the markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow gaining 49 points to 17,056 over concerns about the Chinese economy. Nasdaq lost 16 points to 4,700.
On the upside
Rising crude oil prices lifted shares of Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY)
InVivo Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NVIV) reported significant improvement for a fifth patient who was implanted with the Neuro-Spinal Scaffold in a six-month post-implant assessment.
Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) reported preliminary fourth quarter and full year results that were in line with previous guidance.
On the downside
Vanguard Natural Resources (Nasdaq: VNR) widened fourth quarter losses and suspended cash distributions to common and Class B unit holders and preferred unit holders.
Canaccord Genuity lowered its price target on Cree (Nasdaq: CREE) from $26 to $24.
Silver Standard Resources (Nasdaq: SSRI) will acquire Claude Resources in a cash and stock deal.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 held steady at 1,999. Bitcoin rose $4 to $413.
