The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow losing 10 points to 13,159 as existing home sales slipped while building permit requests climbed. Nasdaq gained 11 points to 3085.
On the upside
Galena Biopharma (Nasdaq: GALE) appointed renowned breast cancer researcher Dr. Hope S. Rugo to its Scientific Advisory Board.
SAIC (NYSE: SAI) fell to a loss for the fourth quarter but the results were better than expected.
Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co. analyst Chris L. Shaw wrote that Origin Agritech (Nasdaq: SEED) may be the first company to receive approval from China to sell genetically modified seed.
On the downside
JA Solar Holdings (Nasdaq: JASO) reported a wider than expected fourth quarter loss yesterday and warned of sequentially lower shipments.
Krispy Kreme (NYSE: KKD) reversed year ago losses to post a profit for the fourth quarter but Stephens downgraded the doughnut retailer to Equal Weight.
BB&T Capital Markets downgraded Gardner Denver (NYSE: GDI) to a Hold rating.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 9 to 7 on the NYSE and by more than 3 to 2 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks added 4 points to 833.
