A surge in job openings lifted the markets during the midday with the Dow rising 30 points to 12,875. Nasdaq added 2 points to 2904.

On the upside

McClatchy (NYSE: MNI) reported sharply higher fourth quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates as the company lowered expenses.

NCR (NYSE: NCR) swung to a fourth quarter loss but the results were better than expected as revenue climbed .

SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI) reported higher fourth quarter earnings that beat expectations.

On the downside

Bank of America downgraded Achillion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ACHN) to an Underperform rating.

Fourth quarter earnings tumbled for Vishay Intertechnology (NYSE: VSH) to fall short of expectations as revenue dropped.

Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) blamed a one time charge for falling to a loss for the fourth quarter.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 9 to 7 on the NYSE while decliners edged out advancers by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a fraction to 827.