The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow gaining 45 points to 12,834 as manufacturing activity climbed in November. Nasdaq rose 7 points to 2923.
On the upside
Health insurer Aetna (NYSE: AET) will cover Vivus' (Nasdaq: VVUS) obesity treatment Qsymia.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Genetics and the Socity for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Publications Committee jointly recommended Sequenom's (Nasdaq: SQNM) cell-free fetal DNA test for fetal aneuploidy.
China Digital TV (NYSE: STV) fell to a loss for the third quarter due to an impairment charge but the stock price rose.
On the downside
Scholastic (Nasdaq: SCHL) slashed its full year earnings and revenue guidance.
Third quarter earnings fell for Tilly's (NYSE: TLYS).
Fitch Ratings downgraded Best Buy's (NYSE: BBY) credit rating to BB- with a negative outlook.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 9 to 7 on both the NYSE and on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks edged up a point to 795.
Markets Advance As Manufacturing Activity Rises
November 21, 2012 at 12:30 PM EST
