The nation added a strong 255,000 jobs in July to lift the markets to a sharply higher open with the Dow surging 147 points to 18,499. Nasdaq soared 51 points to 5,218.
On the upside
Pacific Biosciences of California (Nasdaq: PACB) reported a smaller than expected loss for the second quarter and released updates for the Sequel System.
MasTec (NYSE: MTZ) reversed year ago losses to post a stronger than expected profit for the second quarter and lifted its full year forecast.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Rackspace Hosting (NYSE: RAX) was close to finalizing a deal to be taken private.
On the downside
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) reported disappointing results from a Phase 3 study of Opdivo to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
Hortonworks (Nasdaq: HDP) widened second quarter losses more than expected.
FireEye (Nasdaq: FEYE) reported a wider than expected loss for the second quarter and announced that it will eliminate between 300 to 400 jobs.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by nearly 3 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 climbed 14 points to 2,178. Bitcoin rose $3 to $570.
