The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow rising 42 points to 16,547 as consumer confidence climbed more than expected. Nasdaq gained 17 points to 4171. 

On the upside 

AxoGen (Nasdaq: AXGN) Avance Nerve Graft recipient Navy Corpsman Edward Bonfiglio will ride on Donate Life’s 2014 Rose Parade float on New Year’s Day.

Bargain hunters lifted shares of WPCS International (Nasdaq: WPCS).

Shares of China Finance Online (Nasdaq: JRJC) rose ahead of its earnings release on January 2, 2014.

On the downside

Uni-Pixel (Nasdaq: UNXL) named chair Bernard Marren and director Carl Yankowski as interim co-president and co-chief executive to replace departing president and chief executive Reed Killion. 

The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to Star Scientific (Nasdaq: STSI) regarding two products that contain anatabine.

Wedge Partners noted that Ctrip.com International (NYSE: CTRP) has increased its investment in car rentals.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 4 points to 1845.