Easing crude oil prices lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 79 points to 12,148. Nasdaq surged 40 points to 2778.
On the upside
Credit Suisse lifted its price target on Hercules Offshore (Nasdaq: HERO).
Alanco Technologies (Nasdaq: ALAN) will sell its StarTrak Systems subsidiary in a deal valued at approximately $19.7 milllion.