The markets open mixed with the Dow rising 8 points to 20,658 while Nasdaq slipped 3 points to 5,891 as factory orders rose 1% in February.
On the upside
Initial pre-clinical efficacy results of Benitec Biopharma's (Nasdaq: BNTC) OPMD program have been published in Nature Communications.
Paratek Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PRTK) reported positive results from a Phase 3 study of omadacycline to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is reportedly exploring a potential sale of the company.
On the downside
SeaDrill (NYSE: SDRL) warned that its restructuring plan will likely lead to a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Kate Spade & Co. (NYSE: KATE) needs more time to negotiate the terms of a possible sale to Coach (NYSE: COH).
Adeptus Health (NYSE: ADPT) has initiated conversations to extend its bridge loan maturity dates with Deerfield.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index lost 3 points to 2,355. Bitcoin dropped $14 to $1133.
