Falling mortgage rates boosted the markets to a higher close with the Dow gaining 61 points to 16,421. Nasdaq slipped 5 points to 4352.
On the upside
BJ's Restaurants (Nasdaq: BJRI) announced that shareholders PW Partner Atlas Fund II and Luxor Capital Partners will nominate five representative to run for seats to the Board of Directors. Clinton Relational Opportunity Master Fund will also nominate five representatives to run for seats on the Board.
Agios Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AGIO) widened losses for the fourth quarter but revenue topped analyst estimates.
China Zenix Auto International (NYSE: ZX) named Martin Cheung to the position of chief financial officer.
On the downside
Cross Country Healthcare (Nasdaq: CCRN) widened fourth quarter losses more than expected as revenue fell.
Investors locked in profits on Avanir Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AVNR).
Profit taking weighed down shares of Origin Agritech (Nasdaq: SEED).
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 3 points to 1877. Bitcoin slipped $6.87 or 1.04% to $652.55.
