Escalating violence in Libya sent the markets down to a lower open with the Dow falling 43 points to 12,169. Nasdaq dropped 18 points to 2738.
On the upside
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) reported positive results from a late stage clinical trial of its cystic fibrosis treatment VX-770.
Chico's FAS (NYSE: CHS) reported higher fourth quarter earnings as sales rose.
