Markets mixed as commodities fluctuate

The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow losing 33 points to 16,296 as crude oil prices retreated while gold and silver rose. Nasdaq added 6 points to 4,763.

On the upside

Bloomberg reported that BioMed Realty Trust (NYSE: BMR) was in the process of selling itself.

Shares of Conatus Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: CNAT) continued rising.

Concert Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: CNCE) reported positive data from a Phase 1 clinical trial of CTP-656.

On the downside

Rumors circulated that Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) may stop using Synchronoss Technologies' (Nasdaq: SNCR) solutions.

Disappointing manufacturing data in China weighed down shares of Alibaba (NYSE: BABA).

Crude oil prices retreated to send shares of Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) lower.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 3 to 2 on the NYSE and by nearly 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 eased a fraction to 1,942. Bitcoin added $1 to $229.