The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow rising 31 points to 12,181 as disagreements arose over proposals to resolve the European debt crisis. Nasdaq eased 2 points to 2647.

On the upside

McClatchy (NYSE: MNI) reported that advertising revenue was beginning to recover in the current quarter.

Gannett (NYSE: GCI) chief executive Gracia Martore said that advertising trends improved in November.

Bankrate (NYSE: RATE) shareholders will offer 10.5 million shares to the public at $17.50 per share.

On the downside

Cowen analyst Doug Creutz downgraded THQ (Nasdaq: THQI) yesterday to a Neutral rating.

Investors locked in profits on Frontline (NYSE: FRO), whose stock price surged after announcing a restructuring plan.

Shares of Fusion-io (NYSE: FIO) continued to slide after the lock-up period expired yesterday on more than 8.7 million shares.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks slipped 2 points to 744.