The markets opened mixed with the Dow losing 43 points to 14,493 while Nasdaq gained 25 points to 3191 as investors monitored progress in the manhunt for the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing.
On the upside
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) reported positive results from a midstage clinical trial of its cystic fibrosis treatment VX-661.
Capital One Financial (NYSE: COF) reported lower first quarter earnings but the results were better than expected.
Third quarter earnings rose for Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) to top analyst estimates as revenue climbed.
On the downside
International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) reported lower first quarter earnings and revenue that fell short of analyst expectations.
Air Methods (Nasdaq: AIRM) warned of losses for the first quarter as patient transports fell.
General Electric (NYSE: GE) reported higher first quarter earnings but revenue slipped and European results dropped more than expected.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by nearly 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index rose 5 points to 1547.
