The markets opened mixed with the Dow falling 39 points to 15,502 while Nasdaq gained 14 points to 3594 as first time applications for unemployment benefits rose.

On the upside

Facebook (Nasdaq: FB) swung to a greater than expected profit for the second quarter as mobile ad revenue climbed. 

Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) reversed year ago losses to post a second quarter profit even as revenue slipped. 

Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) reported lower second quarter earnings but revenue climbed and the results were better than expected.

On the downside

Sequenom (Nasdaq: SQNM) blamed billing issues for widening second quarter losses more than expected.

Second quarter earnings plunged for Crocs (Nasdaq: CROX) to fall far short of analyst expectations and the company forecast current quarter results below estimates.

PulteGroup (NYSE: PHM) blamed charges for lower than expected earnings for the second quarter.   

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE while advancers outpaced decliners by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index edged up a point to 1686.