Fitch affirmed the AAA credit rating of France but warned that six other European nations may be downgraded. The markets closed mixed with the Dow slipping 2 points to 11,866 while Nasdaq gained 14 points to 2555.
On the upside
Cobalt International (NYSE: CIE) extended its lease on Diamond Offshore Drilling's Ocean Confidence rig to continue drilling in waters off the coast of Angola.
Frontline (NYSE: FRO) raised $285 million to finance its restructuring plan.
Dahlman Rose upgraded Basic Energy Services (NYSE: BAS) to a Buy rating.
On the downside
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide (Nasdaq: QTWW) priced its public offering of more than 10.5 million units at $0.95 per unit.
Nevada sued Lender Processing Services (NYSE: LPS) for engaging in fraudulent and deceptive practices.
Takeda Pharmaceutical declined the opportunity to commercialize Affymax's (Nasdaq: ITMN) anemia treatment peginesatide in Japan.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks gained 6 points to 722.
