The markets opened higher with the Dow rising 38 points to 16,171 as investors monitored earnings. Nasdaq added 9 points to 4277.
On the upside
Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE: BKD) will acquire Emeritus (NYSE: ESC) in an all stock deal valued at approximately $2.8 billion including the assumption of debt.
Shares of MicroVision (Nasdaq: MVIS) extended its gains.
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Nasdaq: MDRX) narrowed fourth quarter losses as revenue rose.
On the downside
Groupon (Nasdaq: GRPN) reported a loss for the fourth quarter that matched last year's losses and forecast a loss for the current quarter.
Fleetmatics (NYSE: FLTX) reported sharply higher fourth quarter earnings but the company forecast current quarter and full year earnings below expectations.
Blucora (Nasdaq: BCOR) fell to a loss for the fourth quarter and the company forecast first quarter results that missed analyst estimates.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 3 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 5 points to 1844. Bitcoin rose $17.11 or 13.16% to $130.00.
