Mixed markets as consumer spending edges up

The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow slipping 4 points to 17,810 as consumer spending edged up a mere 0.2% in October. Nasdaq gained 21 points to 4,780.

On the upside

Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) reported lower fourth quarter earnings and revenue but the stock price rose.

TheStreet Ratings downgraded American Realty Capital Property (Nasdaq: ARCP) from a Hold rating to a Sell ration but the stock price rose.

Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) introduced its Twitter Offers e-commerce feature.

On the downside

North Atlantic Drilling (NYSE: NADL) reported higher third quarter earnings and revenue but the company suspended its dividend.

ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) narrowed losses for the third quarter but revenue dropped.

Profit taking weighed down shares of Lakeland Industries (Nasdaq: LAKE).

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 4 to 3 on the NYSE and by 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 3 points to 2070. Bitcoin lost $8 to $366.