On the upside
URS (NYSE: URS) reported higher fourth quarter earnings and forecast fiscal 2009 results in line with estimates.
Goldman Sachs upgraded Celanese (NYSE: CE) citing growth opportunities and its attractive stock price.
Global Crown Capital upgraded Altera (Nasdaq: ALTR).
On the downside
Allied Irish Banks (NYSE: AIB) blamed significant debt write-offs for 2008 profits that plunged from last year.
Wells Fargo's (NYSE: WFC) long term ratings was placed on review for a possible downgrade by Moody's Investors Service.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 7 to 2 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 2 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks soared 10 points to 371.