A steeper than expected drop in first time applications for unemployment benefits lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow soaring 95 points to 17,252. Nasdaq climbed 28 points to 4,590.
On the upside
Shares of ProQR (Nasdaq: PRQR) surged on its first trading day.
Foamix Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: FOMX) stock soared in its market debut.
Vimicro International (Nasdaq: VIMC) will participate in investor events hosted by Industrial Securities.
On the downside
Investors locked in profits on Tokai Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: TKAI).
SinoCoking Coal and Coke Chemical Industries (Nasdaq: SCOK) announced a $14.3 million registered direct offering.
Ernst & Young resigned as the independent auditor for PDL BioPharma (Nasdaq: PDLI).
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on both the NYSE and on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 8 points to 2010. Bitcoin dropped $23 to $419.
Jobless claims drop, markets advance
September 18, 2014 at 14:04 PM EDT