On the upside
Lazard Capital Markets analyst Dr. Sean Lavin cited a potential Down syndrome test for upgrading Sequenom (Nasdaq: SQNM).
Shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) and Carnival (NYSE: CCL) rose after Alaska lowered its head tax from $50 per passenger to $34.50.
Arrowhead Research (Nasdaq: ARWR) announced that its subsidiary Calando Pharmaceuticals successfully demonstrated the "silencing" of a cancer gene through RNA interference.
On the downside
Oncothyreon (Nasdaq: ONTY) cited an adverse patient reaction for temporarily suspending a clinical trial for its cancer vaccine Stimuvax.
Maguire Properties (NYSE: MPG) blamed charges associated with defaulted properties for widening fourth quarter losses.
While KB Home (NYSE: KB) narrowed first quarter losses, the results fell short of estimates.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a slim margin on the NYSE and by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a fraction to 682.
