Easing fears over Syrian military action boosted the markets during the midday with the Dow soaring 106 points to 15,297. Nasdaq slipped 5 points to 3723.

On the upside

Linn Energy (Nasdaq: LINE) will file an Amended Form S-4 for its proposed merger with Berry Petroleum (NYSE: BRY).

Penn Viriginia (NYSE: PVA) will present at the DUG Eagle Ford Conference and Exhibition on September 18, 2013 and the Global Opportunities Conference on September 19, 2013.

Acquisition speculation lifted shares of Fusion-io (NYSE: FIO).

On the downside

Coldwater Creek (Nasdaq: CWTR) disappointed with a greater than expected loss for the second quarter and forecast a loss for the current quarter.

Restoration Hardware (NYSE: RH) fell to a loss for the second quarter due to charges related to stock compensation for chairman and co-chief executive Gary Friedman.

United Rentals (NYSE: URI) warned that third quarter rental rates may not increase by the projected 4.5%.  

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 7 to 5 on the NYSE and by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 3 points to 1687.