The markets traded higher during the midday with the Dow gaining 37 points to 14,009 on positive earnings reports. Nasdaq eased a point to 3190.

On the upside

Masco (NYSE: MAS) narrowed fourth quarter losses more than expected as revenue climbed.

Ziopharm (Nasdaq: ZIOP) reached the target number of progression-free survival events for a Phase 3 trial of palifosfamide.

Seeking Alpha listed Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (NYSE: KERX) as the best performing Russell 3000 stock in 2013.

On the downside

Valspar (NYSE: VAL) reported lower first quarter revenue and earnings that fell short of analyst expectations.

MELA Sciences (Nasdaq: MELA) priced its public offering of 6.1 million common shares at the discounted price of $1.30 per share.

Seeking Alpha wrote that Celsion (Nasdaq: CLSN) was worthless.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by more than 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index rose 2 points to 1519.