First time applications for unemployment benefits fell to its lowest level in 43 years to lift the markets to a higher close with the Dow gaining 35 points to 18,903. Nasdaq climbed 39 points to 5,333.
On the upside
Shares of Superconductor Technologies (Nasdaq: SCON) more than doubled on no news.
Bonso Electronics International (Nasdaq: BNSO) stock surged despite a lack of news.
Shares of Uranium Resources (Nasdaq: URRE) continued climbing.
On the downside
Profit taking weighed down shared of Diana Containerships (Nasdaq: DCIX), DryShips (Nasdaq: DRYS) and Seanergy Maritime (Nasdaq: SHIP).
Shares of Cloud Peak Energy (NYSE: CLD) extended its losses.
Stein Mart (Nasdaq: SMRT) widened losses for the third quarter as revenue slipped.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 climbed 10 points to 2,187. Bitcoin gained $3 to $734.