The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow soaring 116 points to 13,075 as retail sales climbed more than expected in February. Nasdaq surged 31 points to 3015.

On the upside

UTStarcom (Nasdaq: UTSI) reversed year ago losses to post a profit for the fourth quarter as revenue rose.

VAALCO Energy (NYSE: EGY) reported flat fourth quarter earnings but revenue surged.

BB&T (NYSE: BBT) offered to assume $285 million in debt as part of its acquisition bid for BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX).

On the downside

Majesco Entertainment (Nasdaq: COOL) reported higher first quarter earnings but the results fell short of estimates and the video game publisher forecast full year results below expectations.

VimpelCom (NYSE: VIP) blamed impairment charges for falling to a fourth quarter loss.

Coleman Cable (Nasdaq: CCIX) reported flat fourth quarter earnings and forecast current quarter results that fell short of analyst expectations.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 3 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks climbed 7 points to 822.