It was a mixed close for the markets with the Dow rising 48 points to 13,058 as Microsoft ups its bid for Yahoo. Nasdaq slipped 4 points to 2477.
On the upside
Aventine Renewable Energy (NYSE: AVR) reported first quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that surpassed estimates by a wide margin.Increased sales lifted first quarter earnings for Barnes Group (NYSE: B) to beat expectations.
Shares of Sallie Mae (NYSE: SLM) rose after Congress approved a bill that would lift the limits for federally subsidized student loans.
On the downside
Cirrus Logic (Nasdaq: CRUS) swung to a loss for the fourth quarter and forecast first quarter results that fell short of estimates.
Thor Industries (NYSE: THO) blamed falling recreational vehicle sales for a drop in third quarter revenue.
Secure Computing (Nasdaq: SCUR) widened first quarter losses due to slowing sales and litigation costs. The network security company also forecast second quarter results below estimates.In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 9 to 7 on the NYSE while decliners edged out advancers by more than 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks slipped 4 points to 726.
