The markets opened higher with the Dow rising 26 points to 13,008 even as durable goods orders dropped. Nasdaq gained 18 points to 2985.
On the upside
Alimera Sciences (NYSE: ALIM) announced the positive outcome of the Decentralized Procedure for its sustained release diabetic macular edema treatment ILUVIEN in Europe.
SINA (Nasdaq: SINA) reversed year ago losses to post a profit for the fourth quarter.
Office Depot (NYSE: ODP) swung to a better than expected profit for the fourth quarter.
On the downside
Pacific Ethanol (Nasdaq: PEIX) reported a wider than expected loss for the fourth quarter.
Apollo Group (Nasdaq: APOL) lowered its new student enrollment numbers for the second quarter and cut its operating profit for the year.
Credit Suisse downgraded Thompson Creek (NYSE: TC) to a Neutral rating.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by more than 10 to 9 to on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks added a fraction to 826.