A drop in jobless claims lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow climbing 52 points to 14,507. Nasdaq gained 9 points to 3254.
On the upside
Sinovac Biotech (Nasdaq: SVA) reported positive results from a late stage clinical trial of its hand, foot and mouth disease vaccine Enterovirus.
The Men's Wearhouse (NYSE: MW) retained the services of Jefferies & Co. to explore strategic alternatives for its discount retailer unit K&G
Ballard Power Systems' (Nasdaq: BLDP) fuel cell will power ten clean energy buses in Aberdeen, Scotland.
On the downside
Citadel will sell its 27.4 million shares of E*Trade (Nasdaq: ETFC).
Anadigics (Nasdaq: ANAD) priced its public offering of 10 million common shares at the discounted price of $2.00 per share.
SandRidge Energy (NYSE: SD) agreed to add four directors nominated by 7.3% owner TPG-Axon which could lead to firing of chief executive Tom Ward.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index rose 4 points to 1559.
