The markets traded near the flatline with the Dow losing 14 points to 13,968 as growth declined in Europe for the third quarter in a row. Nasdaq added a point to 3198.

On the upside

Alpha Natural Resourcs (NYSE: ANR) narrowed fourth quarter losses more than expected.

Wall Street Cheat Sheet listed SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWR) as one of five solar stocks with a strong earnings trend.

Angie's List (Nasdaq: ANGI) reversed year ago losses to post a better than expected profit for the fourth quarter and forecast current quarter revenue ahead of estimates.

On the downside

US Airways (NYSE: LCC) will merge with bankrupt American Airlines parent AMR in an $11 billion stock deal to become that nation's largest airline.

Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS) cited disappointing sales for halting its pilot program for Affymax's (Nasdaq: AFFY) Omontys for chronic kidney patients on dialysis.

Ulta Salon (Nasdaq: ULTA) chief executive Chuck Rubin resigned prompting a downgrade.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 10 to 9 on the NYSE while advancers edged out decliners by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index edged up a fraction to 1521.