The markets tumbled during the midday with the Dow plunging 145 points to 11,964 as jobless claims rose while new home sales dropped. Nasdaq slipped 5 points to 2663.
On the upside
Sharply lower crude oil prices lifted shares of American Airlines parent AMR (NYSE: AMR), Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), United Continental (NYSE: UAL) and US Airways (NYSE: LCC).
Footwear and sports apparel retailer Genesco (NYSE: GCO) paid approximately $112.6 million to acquire British footwear firm Schuh Group.
Herman Miller (Nasdaq: MLHR) reported sharply higher fourth quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates as revenue soared.
On the downside
Flow International (Nasdaq: FLOW) reported higher fourth quarter earnings but the results fell short of expectations prompting a downgrade.
Treehouse Foods (NYSE: THS) blamed higher expenses for lowering its full year guidance.
Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO) stock fell as the company held its annual shareholders meeting.