The markets traded modestly higher during the midday with the Dow adding 33 points to 16,167 as investors focused on earnings. Nasdaq rose 13 points to 4280.
On the upside
Isis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ISIS) reported positive interim results from an open-label, multiple dose study of ISIS-SMN(Rx) in children with spinal muscular atrophy.
Aruba Networks (Nasdaq: ARUN) fell to a loss for the second quarter but the results were better than expected.
CommScope Holding (Nasdaq: COMM) reported a loss for the fourth quarter but the company forecast double digit adjusted net income growth for 2014.
On the downside
Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM) fell to a greater than expected loss for the fourth quarter.
Cabot Oil & Gas (NYSE: COG) reported higher fourth quarter earnings but the company forecast flat production for the first half of 2014.
MRC Global (NYSE: MRC) swung to a profit for the fourth quarter but the results fell short of expectations.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 4 points to 1844. Bitcoin rose $12.98 or 10.31% to $125.87.
