Retail sales rose more than expected in August to lift the markets higher during the midday with the Dow rising 16 points to 10,560. Nasdaq gained 11 points to 2297.
On the upside
A better than expected gain in August retail sales lifted shares of J. C. Penney (NYSE: JCP).
Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) cited increasing travel demand for forecasting higher passenger revenue per available seat mile in the third quarter.
Shares of Opexa Therapeutics (Nasdaq: OPXA) soared as the biopharmaceutical presents an overview of its multiple sclerosis treatment Tovaxin at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Healthcare Conference today.
On the downside
Catalyst Health Solutions (Nasdaq: CHSI) completed its $225 million cash acquisition of FutureScripts.
Urstadt Biddle Properties (NYSE: UBA) priced its offering of 2.5 million common shares to raise approximately $45 million before expenses.
H. B. Fuller (NYSE: FUL) disappointed with sharply lower third quarter earnings that fell short of expectations.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks added a point to 653.
