The markets fell during the midday with the Dow losing 21 points to 16,003 despite a gain in small business confidence. Nasdaq slipped 5 points to 4063.
On the upside
Rambus (Nasdaq: RMBS) settled its patent claims against Micron Technology (Nasdaq: MU) with an agreement for Micron to make royalty payments to Rambus.
Manitoulin Transport will acquire Vitran (Nasdaq: VTNC) in a deal valued at approximately $128 million.
A surge in gold prices lifted shares of Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX), AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU), AuRico Gold (NYSE: AUQ) and Eldorado Gold (NYSE: EGO).
On the downside
Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL) forecast fourth quarter earnings below analyst expectations.
Burlington Stores (NYSE: BURL) widened third quarter losses.
TravelCenters of America (NYSE: TA) will offer 5 million common shares through a public offering.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 3 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 lost 3 points to 1805. Bitcoin climbed $60.78 or 6.70% to $967.78.
