The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow rising 11 points to 16,546 despite disappointingly weak economic growth as investors await the Federal Reserve's statement this afternoon. Nasdaq slipped 10 points to 4,093.
On the upside
Aspen Technology (Nasdaq: AZPN) reported higher third quarter earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations prompting an upgrade.
Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT) reversed year ago losses to post a greater than expected profit for the first quarter as revenue rose.
FX Energy (Nasdaq: FXEN) reported a better than expected estimated production rate of 24 Mmcf/d for its Tuchola Field.
On the downside
Vistaprint (Nasdaq: VPRT) disappointed with sharply lower third quarter earnings that fell far short of analyst expectations as revenue slipped prompting a downgrade.
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AUXL) blamed lower than expected sales of its Testim testosterone gel for cutting its 2014 revenue and earnings outlook.
FEI (Nasdaq: FEIC) reported lower first quarter earnings that missed expectations and forecast current quarter earnings below estimates.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by nearly 7 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 held steady at 1878. Bitcoin edged up $0.56 or 0.13% to $442.22.