The markets opened mixed as holiday department store sales dropped but first time applications for unemployment benefits fell. The Dow slipped 3 points to 19,938. Nasdaq gained 16 points to 5,493.
On the upside
EnteroMedics' (Nasdaq: ETRM) vBloc Neurometabolic Therapy is now available at MedStar Health in Maryland and Roper St. Francis in South Carolina.
Pieris Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PIRS) entered a strategic immuno-oncology collaboration agreement with Servier.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALXN) filed its delayed Form 10-Q and will not need to restate previous financial results.
On the downside
Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) blamed weak holiday sales for lowering its full year earnings outlook.
Macy's (NYSE: M) cut its full year forecast, will close 68 stores across the nation and eliminate up to 6,200 jobs.
Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) chief technology officer Kumar Srinivasan has resigned.
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 index held steady at 2,270. Bitcoin plunged $144 to $966.
