Flat close as investors weigh jobs data against global economy

The markets closed flat with the Dow slipping 3 points to 16,801 as upbeat jobs data tempered concerns about the global economy. Nasdaq rose 8 points to 4,430.

On the upside

The Female Health Company (Nasdaq: FHCO) reported higher preliminary fourth quarter sales of 9.7 million units and announced that the Brazilian Ministry of Health selected its Brazilian distributor to supply the agency with 50 million FC2 Female Condoms.

Starboard offered a premium of approximately $540 million in cash to take RealD (NYSE: RLD) private. 

The Guardian reported that Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT) may receive buyout offers from BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) or Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO).

On the downside

VTB Group said that Mechel (NYSE: MTL) has reached its indebtedness limit and must restructure its debt.

Shares of Vivint Solar (NYSE: VSLR) dropped on its second trading day as falling crude oil prices raised concerns about the solar market.

SoftBank, which was rumored to be in discussions to acquire DreamWorks Animation (Nasdaq: DWA), will invest $250 million in Legendary Entertainment.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 held steady at 1946. Bitcoin lost $7 to $372.

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