Rebounding crude oil prices lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow rising 25 points to 16,989. Nasdaq gained 8 points to 4,657.
On the upside
Astrotech (Nasdaq: ASTC) subsidiary 1st Detect and Smiths Detection won a contract to develop next generation explosives trace detection systems for the Department of Homeland Security.
Blue Buffalo Pet Products (Nasdaq: BUFF) reported greater than expected earnings for the fourth quarter as revenue rose.
Rebounding crude oil prices lifted shares of Linn Energy (Nasdaq: LINE).
On the downside
Ocean Rig (Nasdaq: ORIG) fell to a greater than expected loss for the fourth quarter.
The Australian Defense Department extended its contract with Unisys (NYSE: UIS) but the stock price tumbled.
Shares of SeaDrill (NYSE: SDRL) tumbled after rival Ocean Rig (Nasdaq: ORIG) fell to a loss.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 5 points to 1,985. Bitcoin added $1 to $412.
