The markets opened modestly higher with the Dow rising 9 points to 9741 as the nation's unemployment rate slipped. Nasdaq added 3 points to 2104.
On the upside
In a late stage clinical trial, Genentech's (NYSE: DNA) ovarian cancer treatment Avastin extended patient survival rate.
Analysts speculated that Sanofi-Aventis may be interested in acquiring Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB).
Juniper Networks' (NYSE: JNPR) recently acquired Ankeena Networks was selected as a Red Herring Top 100 company.
On the downside
Helix Energy (NYSE: HLX) is finalizing reserve estimates for possible divestiture of its oil and gas business.
Delta (NYSE: DAL) expanded service to Africa in response to a strong demand but the stock price fell.
Wilshire Bancorp (Nasdaq: WIBC) blamed loan losses for warning of losses for the second quarter.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks slipped 2 points to 602.
