Mixed open as investors eye crude oil prices

The markets opened mixed with the Dow slipping 16 points to 16,313 while Nasdaq rose 8 points to 4,764 as crude oil prices edged up.

On the upside

Signal Genetics (Nasdaq: SGNL) entered a Master Service Agreement with a leading biopharmaceutical to deploy the company's MyPRS test to inform the clinical stage development program of a novel treatment for patients with multiple myeloma.

Heron Therapeutics (Nasdaq: HRTX) reported positive results from a Phase 2 study of HTX-011 to manage post-surgery pain after bunion removal.

First Niagara Financial (Nasdaq: FNFG) retained the services of JPMorgan Chase to explore a possible sale of the company.

On the downside

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: OGXI) reported disappointing results from a Phase 2 Rainier study of apatorsen in combination with ABRAXANE and gemcitabine.

Shares of Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) extended its losses.

Investors locked in profits on Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT).

In the broad market, declining issues barely edged out advancers by a slim margin of nearly 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 edged up a fraction to 1,943. Bitcoin added $1 to $229.