The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow rising 23 points to 16,095 as building permits jumped in October. Nasdaq climbed 24 points to 4018.

On the upside 

Mediabistro (Nasdaq: MBIS) made a strategic investment in 3DPI.

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: MACK) will develop and manufacture pharmaceutical products for Actavis to commercialize.

Workday (NYSE: WDAY) narrowed third quarter losses more than expected and forecast current quarter revenue ahead of estimates prompting an upgrade.

On the downside

Investors locked in profits on Ariad Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARIA). 

21Vianet Group (Nasdaq: VNET) fell to a loss for the third quarter as expenses climbed.

CenterPoint Energy (Nasdaq: CNP), OGE Energy (NYSE: OGE) and ArcLight Capital Partners limited partnership Enable Midstream filed for a proposed initial public offering.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 4 points to 1806. Bitcoin climbed $75.97 or 9.33% to $889.98.