The markets opened mixed with the Dow rising 15 points to 16,588 while Nasdaq slipped 6 points to 4269 as first time applications for unemployment benefits rose more than expected.
On the upside
Response Genetics (Nasdaq: RGDX) signed contracts with six new health plans across ten states.
CytRx (Nasdaq: CYTR) reported positive preclinical results from an in vivo study of aldoxorubicin for treating relapsed glioblastoma.
MagneGas (Nasdaq: MNGA) announced a that Sidney Lee Welding Supply will distribute MagneGas fuel throughout Georgia.
On the downside
Liquidity Services (Nasdaq: LQDT) withdrew from the live auction bidding for the rolling stock surplus contract with the Defense Logistics Agency.
Liberty Media will reduce its 17% stake in Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS) to 10% and lose two preferred stock director board seats.
BG Medicine (Nasdaq: BGMD) priced its public offering of 6.452 million common shares at the discounted price of $1.55 per share.
In the broad market, declining issues barely edged out advancers by a slim margin on the NYSE and by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 held steady at 1890. Bitcoin lost $12.39 or 2.81% to $428.73.