The easing of tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow rising 47 points to 16,601. Nasdaq climbed 34 points to 4405.
On the upside
Shares of Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: TKMR) continued rising after the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak an international health emergency.
MannKind (Nasdaq: MNKD) partnered with Sanofi to develop and market the inhaled insulin product Afrezza.
Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) will consolidate all of its companies by acquiring Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP), Kinder Morgan Management (NYSE: KMR) and El Paso Pipeline (NYSE: EPB) in a deal valued at approximately $70 billion.
On the downside
The Delaware Court of Chancery determined that SIGA (Nasdaq: SIGA) must pay a lump sum damage award to PharmAthene.
Gogo (Nasdaq: GOGO) narrowed losses for the second quarter but the in-flight Internet access provider forecast full year earnings at the low end of its previous guidance.
Dean Foods (NYSE: DF) reported an unexpected loss for the second quarter, forecast current quarter earnings below expectations and withdrew its full year outlook.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 4 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 9 points to 1940. Bitcoin held steady at $585.
