The markets opened higher with the Dow gaining 34 points to 19,833 as crude oil prices edged up. Nasdaq rose 14 points to 5,567.

On the upside

Cellectar Biosciences (Nasdaq: CLRB) received a patent for methods of use for the company's CLR 131 and CLR 125.

Multi Packaging Solutions International (NYSE: MPSX) will be acquired by WestRock (NYSE: WRK) for a premium of approximately $2.28 billion including the assumption of debt.

Allegheny Technologies (NYSE: ATI) reported a better than expected earnings for the fourth quarter.

On the downside

BT Group (NYSE: BT) cited accounting errors in its Italian business for cutting its forecast for 2017 and 2018.

Fortuna Silver Mines (NYSE: FSM) announced a $65 million bought deal financing.

Ocular Therapeutix (Nasdaq: OCUL) priced its public offering of approximately 3.57 million common shares at the discounted price of $7.00 per share.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by nearly 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index added 4 points to 2,270. Bitcoin dropped $12 to $901.