Ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony before the lawmakers, and economic reports, the US market started March's trading on a mixed note as oil prices stabilized around the world. Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.20 percent or 24.60 points to 12,250.94, and the Standard and Poor's 500 gained 0.17 percent or 2.20 points to 1,328.82. However, NASDAQ Composite lost 0.07 percent or 2.07 points to 2,779.71.
Hot Stocks: JEC, SPF, GERN, QCOM, CRDN, NVAX, JPM, ACU, WH, ININ
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc (NYSE: JEC) has received a $500 million contract from NASA. However, Jacobs was down 0.28 percent or $0.14 to $49.92.
Standard Pacific Corp. (NYSE: SPF) has entered into a $210 million unsecured revolving bank credit facility arranged by JP Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. SPF lost 0.50 percent or $0.02 to $3.98 in the initial hours.
Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) has announced a positive result of the company's preclinical study data of its cardiomyocyte product GRNCM1. Despite the positive outcome, Geron slipped 0.61 percent or $0.03 to $4.94.
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) has signed an agreement with Gameloft for HD mobile games. QCOM fell 0.47 percent or $0.28 to $59.30 in the first hour.
Ceradyne Inc (NASDAQ: CRDN) has awarded an $18.3 million contract to Boron Products for the supply of B-10 enriched zirconium diboride. CRDN lost 1.18 percent or $0.45 to $37.78.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has allotted a flu development contract to Novavax Inc (NASDAQ: NVAX). Novavax jumped 22.31 percent or $0.58 to $3.18.
JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) said it is short of $4.5 billion to cover the cost of its more than 10,000 legal proceedings. JPM lost 0.21 percent or $0.12 to $46.58.
Acme United Corporation (AMEX: ACU) acquires Pac-Kit Safety Equipment Company for $5.4 million. ACU was trading on its yesterday's close of $10.05.
WSP Holdings Limited (NYSE: WH) has appointed Choon-Hoi Then as the new CFO of the company. WH was trading at $1.34 with zero percent change on its Monday's close.
Interactive Intelligence Inc (NASDAQ: ININ) has acquired Agori Communication GmbH in an all cash transaction. ININ slipped 0.35 percent or $0.12 to $34.29 in the morning.