Upbeat earnings lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow climbing 81 points to 15,699. Nasdaq eased a point 3938.

On the upside

Mindspeed Technologies (Nasdaq: MSPD) will be acquired by M/A-Com Technology Solutions Holdings in a deal valued at approximately $272 million.

Blucora (Nasdaq: BCOR) reported a smaller than expected loss for the third quarter as revenue soared and the company forecast fourth quarter revenue ahead of analyst estimates.

Shares of Oxygen Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: OXBT) continued advancing.

On the downside

Tesla Motors (Nasdaq: TSLA) narrowed third quarter losses but the electric vehicle maker sold fewer cars than expected and forecast fourth quarter Model S sedan sales below analyst estimates. 

Suntech (NYSE: STP) filed for a provisional liquidation in the Cayman Islands.

NPS Pharmaceutical (Nasdaq: NPSP) narrowed third quarter losses as revenue rose but the stock price plunged.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 5 points to 1768.