Retreating crude oil prices weighed down the markets during the midday with the Dow dropping 85 points to 18,011. Nasdaq held steady at 4,948.
On the upside
Shares of Alimera Sciences (Nasdaq: ALIM) climbed despite being listed as a Strong Sell Stock by Zacks Equity Research twice in March and twice so far in April.
Relypsa (Nasdaq: RLYP) announced stock option grants for six new employees.
Approach Resources (Nasdaq: AREX) stock climbed for the fourth day in a row.
On the downside
First quarter earnings and revenue rose for TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) but the company forecast current quarter as well as full year results that fell short of expectations.
A petition has been circulated opposing a plan by Intrexon's (NYSE: XON) Oxitec unit to combat the Zika virus by releasing genetically engineered mosquitoes.
United Continental (NYSE: UAL) reported lower first quarter earnings and revenue .
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 fell 9 points to 2,092. Bitcoin rose $4 to $443.
