On the upside
Analysts upgraded Human Genome Sciences (Nasdaq: HGSI) after the company reported surprisingly upbeat late stage drug trial results for its lupus treatment.
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: BCRX) stock continued soaring after reporting positive trial results for its flu treatment last week.
The Chinese government launched its Golden Sun program to provide subsidies for solar projects. Shares of Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE), Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL) and Suntech Power Holdings (NYSE: STP) all surged.
On the downside
Sterling Financial (Nasdaq: STSA) updated its shelf registration to offer up to $500 million in securities.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) blamed significant pension expenses for sharply lower second quarter earnings.
Second quarter earnings for Arbitron (NYSE: ARB) surged to top estimates but the media and marketing information services company lowered its full year revenue outlook.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE while decliners edged out advancers by 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a point to 525.
