The markets closed modestly higher with the Dow gaining 22 points to 11,203 as investors await details of Ireland's bailout package. Nasdaq added 3 points to 2518.
On the upside
Cost Plus (Nasdaq: CPWM) narrowed third quarter losses.
U. S. coal company Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT) offered approximately $3.24 billion to aquire Canadian coal producer Western Coal.
Apricus Biosciences (Nasdaq: APRI) reported upbeat results from a pre-clinical study of its NexACT technology for drug delivery.
On the downside
Investors locked in profits on The Governor and Company of The Bank of Ireland (NYSE: IRE).
Empire Resorts (Nasdaq: NYNY) received a $35 million loan from its largest shareholder Kien Huat Realty in order to repay its 5 1/2% convertible senior notes obligations.
Seeking Alpha contributor David Sterman said that shares of Assured Guaranty (NYSE: AGO) are poised to drop.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks rose 3 points to 724.