The markets traded higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 68 points to 10,087 as initial jobless claims fall more than expected. Nasdaq gained 5 points to 2164.
On the upside
The Doctors Company will acquire American Physicians Capital (Nasdaq: ACAP) in an all cash deal valued at approximately $386 million.
Power-One (Nasdaq: PWER) will announce second quarter earnings after market close on Thursday, July 29.
Ruby Tuesday (NYSE: RT) will hold its fourth quarter earnings conference call on Thursday, July 22 at 4:30pm Eastern Time.
On the downside
Wet Seal (Nasdaq: WTSLA) disappointed with a much sharper than expected drop in same store sales.
Gap (NYSE: GPS) reported flat same store sales in June.
Same store sales rose less than expected for The TJX Cos. (NYSE: TJX).
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 3 to 2 on the NYSE and by nearly 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks added a point to 613.