An unexpected jump in jobless claims weighed the markets down to a lower open with the Dow losing 25 points to 16,142. Nasdaq lost 13 points to 4056.
On the upside
Second quarter earnings for Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) topped analyst estimates.
Carnival (NYSE: CCL) reported lower fourth quarter earnings but the results were better than expected.
AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) forecast fourth quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations for a loss.
On the downside
Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) reported lower third quarter earnings even as revenue rose.
Cobalt International Energy (NYSE: CIE) will plug and abandon an exploratory well on Keathley Canyon Block 163 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Semtech (Nasdaq: SMTC) cut its fourth quarter earnings and revenue guidance prompting a downgrade.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancer by a margin of nearly 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 lost 6 points to 1804. Bitcoin soared $114.04 or 19.56% to $697.00.
