Upbeat earnings lifted the markets to a higher close with Dow gaining 21 points to 18,080. Nasdaq climbed 36 points to 5,092.
On the upside
The Lancelot published positive results from a Phase 3 study of GlaxoSmithKline's (NYSE: GSK) malaria vaccine RTS,S, which incorporates Agenus' (NYSE: AGEN) QS021 Stimulon.
Shares of Vale (NYSE: VALE) climbed after rival iron ore producer BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) announced plans to scale down its expansion plans.
Third quarter earnings slipped for Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) but the results topped analyst estimates prompting an upgrade.
On the downside
Catalyst Pharmaceutical's (Nasdaq: CPRX) rival Jacobus Pharmaceuticals presented positive data for a drug that is similar to one being developed by Catalyst.
DeVry Education Group (NYSE: DV) reported lower third quarter earnings and revenue.
ResMed (NYSE: RMD) reported higher quarter earnings and revenue but Macquarie downgraded the company from an Outperform rating to a Neutral rating.
In the broad market, advancing issues barely edged out decliners by a slim margin on the NYSE while decliners outpaced advancers by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 4 points to 2117. Bitcoin edged up $1 to $230.
Earnings lift markets to higher close
April 24, 2015 at 19:44 PM EDT