First time applications for unemployment benefits fell unexpectedly to boost the markets to a sharply higher close with the Dow climbing 98 points to 18,392. Nasdaq soared 44 points to 5,339.
On the upside
Shares of SAExploration (Nasdaq: SAEX) surged on no news.
Caesars Entertainment (Nasdaq: CZR) offered as additional $1.6 billion to settle with its creditors.
Aegerion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AEGR) stock extended its gains.
On the downside
Shares of Axovant Sciences (NYSE: AXON) tumbled after rival Lundbeck reported disappointing results from a Phase III study of the Alzheimer's treatment idalopirdine.
OMNOVA Solutions (NYSE: OMN) reported third quarter earnings that fell short of expectations.
Investors locked in profits on Teck Resources (NYSE: TCK).
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 5 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 climbed 14 points to 2,177. Bitcoin held steady at $596.
