Markets Up Modestly Despite Higher Jobless Claims

The markets closed modestly higher with the Dow rising 46 points to 8331 despite greater than expected gains in wholesale prices and jobless claims. Nasdaq gained 25 points to 1689.

On the upside

Atmel (Nasdaq: ATML) unveiled its AT73C240 Audio Companion IC for portable multimedia applications.

Hartford Financial Services (NYSE: HIG) will no longer enter agreements that include "gross-up" provisions.

Raymond James analyst Steven Schwartz lifted his price target for Genworth Financial (NYSE: GNW).

On the downside

While EnerSys (NYSE: ENS) boosted its fourth quarter guidance, the industrial battery maker forecast first quarter results well below analyst expectations.

Forest City Enterprises (NYSE: FCEA) priced its offering of 45.5 million common shares at $6.60 per share.

First quarter earnings for Gammon Gold (NYSE: GRS) tumbled as revenue plunged.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks gained 8 points to 480.