Crude oil prices rose again to lift the markets to a higher open with the Dow gaining 61 points to close at 17,991. Nasdaq climbed 31 points to 4,873.
On the upside
Canaccord initiated coverage of Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) with a Buy rating and a $120 price target.
Aeterna Zentaris (Nasdaq: AEZS) entered an exclusive license agreement for Cyntec to commercialize Zoptrex in Taiwan and nine Southeast Asian countries.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: VRX) received upfront and milestone payments from AstraZeneca for the termination of Valeant's right to develop and commercialize brodalumab in Europe.
On the downside
Micron Technology (Nasdaq: MU) fell to a loss for the third quarter and announced plans to cut jobs.
KeyBanc lowered its price target on Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF) from $27 to $24.
Himax Technologies (Nasdaq: HIMX) chief technology officer and senior vice president Chih-Chung Tsai retired.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 8 points to 2,107. Bitcoin rose $4 to $662.