Falling crude oil prices lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow soaring 99 points to 11,970. Nasdaq climbed 26 points to 2715.
On the upside
Barron's wrote that Nvidia (Nasdaq: NVDA) had the potential to leap 80% in 2011.
J. C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) added hedge fund manager William A. Ackman and real estate executive Steven Roth to its board. The department store operator also announced plans to shutter underperforming locations.
Level 3 Communications (Nasdaq: LVLT) will exchange its convertible senior discount notes.
On the downside
On Friday after market close, World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) forecast fourth quarter results that fell short of expectations.