The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow gaining 40 points to 15,916 as factory orders rose. Nasdaq added a point to 3974.
On the upside
Shares of Zulily (Nasdaq: ZU) surged on its first trading day.
A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee recommended approval for Vanda Pharmaceuticals' (Nasdaq: VNDA) tasimelteon to treat Non-24-Hour Disorder in the totally blind .
Biostar Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: BSPM) reversed year ago losses to post a profit for the third quarter.
On the downside
Hanwha SolarOne (Nasdaq: HSOL) will offer up to $70 million worth of American Depositary Shares.
Western Union's (NYSE: WU) chief financial officer will leave the company on December 31, 2013.
Investors locked in profits on E-House (China) Holdings (NYSE: EJ).
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 4 on the NYSE while decliners edged out advancers by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 edged up a point to 1791.