The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow climbing 74 points to 17,994 as crude oil prices edged up. Nasdaq rose 9 points to 4,978.
On the upside
Shares of Helios and Matheson Analytics (Nasdaq: HMNY) continued soaring.
Aehr Test Systems (Nasdaq: AEHR) received the first order for its new FOX-XP production test cells.
Pacific Drilling (NYSE: PACD) resumes trading after being halted.
On the downside
Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB) reported disappointing results from a Phase 2 study of its multiple sclerosis treatment opicinumab.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals' (Nasdaq: ALXN) myasthenia gravis treatment Soliris failed a Phase 3 clinical study.
The Michaels Companies (Nasdaq: MIK) reported higher first quarter earnings and revenue but the company forecast current quarter earnings below estimates.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 9 points to 2,118. Bitcoin dropped $11 to $566.
