The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow climbing 95 points to 12,193 as investors monitored developments in Europe. Nasdaq edged up a fraction to 2656.
On the upside
Investors bought call options on Hecla Mining (NYSE: HL).
Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK) replaced restructuring advisor Jones Day with Sullivan & Cromwell.
Comstock Resources (NYSE: CRK) paid approximately $332.7 million to acquire acreage in the Delaware Basin in West Texas.
On the downside
Investors locked in profits on Synovus Financial (NYSE: SNV), whose stock price rose last week after central banks lowered the pricing on existing temporary U. S. dollar liquidity swap arrangements.
SunTrust (NYSE: STI) reported sharply higher mortgage repurchase expenses in the fourth quarter.
Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL) suspended work at several facilities at the Lenin Underground mine and at the New-Olzherassk mine.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by more than 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a fraction to 746.