<p>Better than expected earnings boosted the markets to a higher close with the Dow soaring 127 points to 7969. Nasdaq leaped 35 points to 1643.</p><br /> <p><strong>On the upside</strong></p><br />
<p>Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) narrowed first quarter losses and announced a $50 fee on international flights to check a second bag.</p><br />
<p>Lincoln National (NYSE: LNC) will solicit bids in the next few weeks for its Delaware Investments asset management business.</p><br />
<p>First quarter earnings for U. S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) tumbled as loan loss provisions surged but the results beat expectations.</p><br />
<p><strong>On the downside</strong></p><br />
<p>The New York Times (NYSE: NYT) blamed sharply lower advertising revenue for widening first quarter losses by a wide margin.</p><br />
<p>Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE: ARE) will sell $175 million worth of senior convertible notes through a private offering.</p><br />
<p>Shares of Flagstar Bancorp (NYSE: FBC) tumbled ahead of its earnings release after market close.</p><br />
<p>In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 3 to 1 on the NYSE and by &nbsp;3&nbsp;to&nbsp;1 on Nasdaq.&nbsp; The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks leaped 17 points to 470. </p>