March consumer confidence jumped to its highest level in 16 years sending the markets soaring to a sharply higher close with the Dow surging 150 points to 20,701. Nasdaq gained 34 points to 5,875.
On the upside
An online rumor circulated that Diffusion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DFFN) received a patent.
Bargain hunters lifted shares of Sunshine Heart (Nasdaq: SSH).
Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD) chief executive Edward Lampert paid approximately $4.2 million to acquire 507,936 shares of company stock.
On the downside
Investors locked in profits on Cellect Biotechnology (Nasdaq: APOP).
Profit takin weighed down shares of Superconductor Technologies (Nasdaq: SCON).
HTG Molecular Diagnostics (Nasdaq: HTGM) extended its losses.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 3 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index climbed 16 points to 2,358. Bitcoin fell $7 to $1032.
