First time applications for unemployment benefits jumped more than expected last week to weigh the markets down to a lower open with the Dow losing 8 points to 12,279. Nasdaq eased a point to 2824.
On the upside
Rubicon Technology (Nasdaq: RBCN) reversed year ago losses to post a better than expected profit for the fourth quarter as revenue surged and forecast first quarter results well ahead of analyst estimates.
Williams Cos. (NYSE: WMB) reported higher fourth quarter earnings that beat expectations and announced that the company will split into two separate businesses.
