The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow gaining 34 points to 11,611 as anti-austerity demonstrations turned violent in Greece. Nasdaq fell 14 points to 2643.
On the upside
Third quarter earnings for United Rentals (NYSE: URI) more than tripled as revenue surged.
A surge in September home construction lifted shares of KB Home (NYSE: KBH) and Hovnanian (NYSE: HOV).
Shares of Human Genome Sciences (Nasdaq: HGSI) continued rising over speculation that GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) may purchase the biotech.
On the downside
Agnico-Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM) suspended its Val d'Or, Quebec operations due to water inflow and ground instability.
Two of Western Digital's (NYSE: WDC) factories have been closed due to flooding in Thailand.
Comerica (NYSE: CMA) reported higher third quarter earnings but warned that net interest margin will fall in the fourth quarter.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks lost 3 points to 705.
