A gain in consumer sentiment lifted the markets during the midday with Dow soaring 122 points to 17,963. Nasdaq climbed 36 points to 4,978.
On the upside
InterCloud Systems (Nasdaq: ICLD) won a professional services contract valued at approximately $3 million and announced that it's backlog of new business has climbed to more $36 million.
Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) reversed year ago losses to post a stronger than expected profit for the first quarter.
Ellie Mae (NYSE: ELLI) reported sharply higher first quarter earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations and forecast current quarter as well as full year results ahead of estimates.
On the downside
Accuray (Nasdaq: ARAY) narrowed third quarter losses but the company lowered its full year forecast.
First quarter earnings and revenue fell for Cooper Tire & Rubber (NYSE: CTB) to miss expectations.
Insulet (Nasdaq: PODD) widened first quarter losses more than expected as revenue fell and the company forecast current quarter revenue below estimates.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 climbed 15 points to 2100. Bitcoin slipped $2 to $234.
Gain in consumer sentiment lifts markets
May 01, 2015 at 14:43 PM EDT