The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow soaring 129 points to 24,361. Nasdaq dropped 44 points to 6,803.
Weight Watchers announced that more than 200 food items will be added to its Zero Points foods list. People will now be able to eat as much lean protein items, such as skinless chicken breast, nonfat plain yogurt, and lentils, as they want and still achieve their goal. The update simplifies the company's weight loss program and is designed to attract new members.
Facebook introduced its new Messenger Kids app geared for children under the age of 13. Parents control the app that kids can use to talk or text with family and friends who are on an approved contacts list. Currently, there is only an iOS version of the app but Messenger Kids will be available on Amazon and Google early next year.
Apple will begin paying approximately $14.5 billion in back taxes that it owes to the Irish government in the first quarter of 2018. Both Ireland and Apple dispute the ruling by the European Commission that Ireland gave Apple a sweetheart tax deal and have appealed the decision. The money will be deposited into an escrow account until the appeals process is completed.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 5 to 4 on the NYSE while decliners were on par with advancers on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 5 points to 2,647. Bitcoin slipped $11 to $11,138.
