Consumer confidence climbed more than expected to lift the markets during the midday with the Dow adding 4 points to 14,823. Nasdaq gained 18 points to 3325.
On the upside
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) engaged in discussions with the Food and Drug Administration for next steps in securing approval for the abuse resistant pain treatment Remoxy that was jointly developed by Pain Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PTIE) and Durect (Nasdaq: DRRX).
Transition Therapeutics (Nasdaq: TTHI) reported positive results from a clinical study of its type 2 diabetes treatment TT-401.
First quarter earnings slipped for 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) but revenue rose to beat expectations.
On the downside
Indications that the Food and Drug Administration will require additional testing for Delcath Systems' (Nasdaq: DCTH) chemotherapy system Melblez sent shares of the medical device maker tumbling.
Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM) reported lower first quarter earnings and revenue that fell short of analyst expectations.
First quarter earnings slipped for U. S. Silica Holdings (NYSE: SLCA).
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by more than 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index added 2 points to 1596.
