The markets traded higher during the midday with the Dow rising 11 points to 10,606 as investors embraced Oracle's upbeat earnings report. Nasdaq climbed 12 points to 2315.
On the upside
Globe Specialty Metals (Nasdaq: GSM) reported higher fourth quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations.
Thor Industries (NYSE: THO) acquired towable recreational vehicle maker Heartland Vehicles in a cash and stock deal valued at approximately $209.4 million.
Citigroup (NYSE: C) will sell its 80% stake in Student Loan Corp. (NYSE: STU) to Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) for approximately $600 million.
On the downside
Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) chief financial officer Charles Sonsteby resigned to accept the chief financial officer position with Michaels Stores.
The Department of Agriculture verified reports that Russia will no longer accept meat from two Smithfield Foods (NYSE: SFD) plants in North Carolina.
Shares of Allied Irish Banks (NYSE: AIB) tumbled as the cost to insure Irish debt surged to a new record.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by more than 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks rose 3 points to 651.
