The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow rising 46 points to 18,319. Nasdaq gained 30 points to 5,078.

On the upside

Idera Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: IDRA) reported positive results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of IMO-9200.

Shares of MannKind (Nasdaq: MNKD) continued rising.

Stephens upgraded Cal-Maine Foods (Nasdaq: CALM) from an Equal Weight rating to an Overweight rating.

On the downside

InterCloud Systems (Nasdaq: ICLD) entered a securities purchase agreement.

Shares of 500.com (NYSE: WBAI) fell ahead of its earnings release tomorrow before market open.

First quarter earnings fell for Fifth Street Asset Management (Nasdaq: FSAM).

In the broad market, declining issues barely edged out advancers by a slim margin on the NYSE while advancers outpaced decliners by more than 3 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 7 points 2129. Bitcoin held steady at $236.