The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow rising 10 points to 15,564 ahead of Apple’s earnings release after market close. Nasdaq added a point to 3944.

On the upside

Bargain hunters lifted shares of Ariad Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARIA).

Fusion-io (NYSE: FIO) introduced enhancements to its Fusion ION Data Accelerator storage solution.

Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) reassured investors that developing the Libra offshore oil field will not delay the Brazilian oil company’s other projects.

On the downside

Investors continued to lock in profits on Phoenix New Media (NYSE: FENG). 

Rentech Nitrogen Partners (NYSE: RNF) warned that fourth quarter results would fall short of expectations.

Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL) was identified as “Water logged and getting wetter” by Trade-Ideas.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 3 points to 1763.