An uptick in the consumer price index along with a drop in jobless claims boosted the markets to a higher close with the Dow gaining 92 points to 16,133. Nasdaq climbed 29 points to 4267.
On the upside
Basic Energy Services (NYSE: BAS) narrowed fourth quarter losses more than expected.
Marchex (Nasdaq: MCHX) reversed year ago losses to post a profit for the fourth quarter.
Seanergy Maritime Holdings (Nasdaq: SHIP) swung to a profit for the third quarter.
On the downside
William Blair downgraded Polypore International (NYSE: PPO) from an Outperform rating to a Market Perform rating.
SGL Carbon’s comments that negative trends in the graphite electrode business have continued in 2014 weighed down shares of competitor GrafTech International (Nasdaq: GTI).
BJ’s Restaurants (Nasdaq: BJRI) reported sharply lower fourth quarter earnings.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 climbed 11 points to 1839. Bitcoin plummeted $148.23 or 131.18% to $113.00.
