Upbeat retailer earnings reports lifted the markets to a modestly higher close with the Dow adding 9 points to 10,415. Nasdaq rose 6 points to 2215.
On the upside
ValueVision Media (Nasdaq: VVTV) narrowed second quarter losses as revenue rose.
Citigroup analyst Josh Levin suggested that homebuilders are likely to consolidate, lifting shares of Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH) and Ryland Group (NYSE: RYL).
China Digital (NYSE: STV) reported higher second quarter earnings that beat expectations as revenue soared.
Dillard's (Nasdaq: ENDP) announced plans to buy back as much as $250 million worth of common shares.
On the downside
Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) spent $350,000 in the second quarter to lobby the federal government.
Fiduciary/Claymore MLP Opportunity Fund (NYSE: FMO) priced its offering of nearly 4.3 million shares at $19.36 per share.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks gained 4 points to 630.
