The markets opened mixed with the Dow losing 16 points to 16,623 while Nasdaq added 4 points to 4,595 as pending home sales fell in January.
On the upside
API Technologies (Nasdaq: ATNY) will be acquired by an affiliate of private equity firm J. F. Lehman & Co. for a premium of $2.00 per share in cash.
Carl Icahn offered a premium of approximately $213 million to acquire the 18% of Federal-Mogul Holdings (Nasdaq: FDML) that he does not already own.
Taser International (Nasdaq: TASR) reported a greater than expected profit for the fourth quarter as revenue climbed and announced plans to repurchase $50 million in common shares.
On the downside
Intrepid Potash (NYSE: IPI) fell to a greater than expected loss for the fourth quarter and will no longer provide financial guidance.
Horizon Pharma (Nasdaq: HZNP) swung to a profit for the fourth quarter but the results missed expectations.
United Natural Foods (Nasdaq: UNFI) will pay approximately $217.5 million in cash to acquire Haddon House Food Products.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by nearly 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 slipped 2 points to 1,945. Bitcoin rose $6 to $437.
