The markets opened modestly higher with the Dow rising 14 points to 14,790 after yesterday's sell-off. Nasdaq added 5 points to 3583.
On the upside
Astex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ASTX) reported upbeat preliminary results from a Phase 2 study of its acute myeloid leukemia treatment SGI-110.
Third quarter earnings slipped for Avago Technologies (Nasdaq: AVGO) but the results surpassed analyst expectations as revenue rose.
Zale (NYSE: ZLC) narrowed fourth quarter losses more than expected as same store sales climbed by a greater than expected 5.6%.
On the downside
Joy Global (NYSE: JOY) reported lower third quarter earnings as revenue fell and the mining equipment maker warned of slowing sales.
Qihoo 360 Technology (NYSE: QIHU) priced its private placement offering of $550 million worth of convertible senior notes.
Frontline (NYSE: FRO) widened second quarter losses more than expected as revenue tumbled.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added a point to 1631.