Optimism that the Federal Reserve may take further action to stimulate the sluggish economy lifted the markets during the midday with the Dow gaining 68 points to 12,089. Nasdaq added 2 points to 2614.
On the upside
Shares of Jive Software (Nasdaq: JIVE) surged on its first trading day.
Seaspan (NYSE: SSW) announced plans to repurchase up to 10 million shares of class A stock at the premium price of $15 per share.
Deutsche Bank upgraded Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO) to a Buy rating.
On the downside
SymphonyIRI reported that the market share of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters' (NYSE: GMCR) single serve K-Cup business slipped in November.
Forest Oil (NYSE: FST) will spend $550 million to $600 million on capital projects in 2012 and expects 2012 net sales volumes to rise 5% - 6%.
Sensata Technologies (NYSE: ST) lowered its fourth quarter guidance yesterday.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks edged up a fraction to 733.
