The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow rising 11 points to 15,458 despite disappointing jobs data as the nation's services sector expanded at a faster pace than expected. Nasdaq lost 11 points to 4019.
On the upside
Pernix Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PTX) named Doug Drysdale to the position of chief executive and announced an investment of $65 million by Athyrium Capital Management.
Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT) swung to a profit for the fourth quarter.
Bargain hunters lifted shares of Oramed Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ORMP).
On the downside
Global Hunter Securities downgraded Bill Barrett (NYSE: BBG) from an Accumulate rating to a Neutral rating.
Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) widened fourth quarter losses more than expected as revenue fell.
Hain Celestial Group (Nasdaq: HAIN) reported higher second quarter earnings but revenue fell short of expectations.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 slipped a point to 1753. Bitcoin lost $35.02 or 3.91% to $894.88.
