The markets recovered early morning losses but continued trading in negative territory with the Dow slipping 5 points to 17,724 as crude oil prices edged up. Nasdaq lost 20 points to 5,074.

On the upside

SciClone Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SCLN) reported higher third quarter earnings and revenue that surpassed expectations by a wide margin.

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: BLCM) widened losses for the third quarter but the company reported progress in the advancement of its stem cell transplant CAR-T and TCR programs.

McDermott International (NYSE: MDR) swung to a profit for the third quarter and the company announced that it won a large brownfield contract offshore Qatar.

On the downside

SunEdison (NYSE: SUNE) posted a wider than expected loss for the third quarter.

RGS Energy (Nasdaq: RGSE) reported a loss for the third quarter as revenue dropped.

Amaya (Nasdaq: AYA) reported higher third quarter earnings and revenue but the company lowered its full year forecast.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 10 to 9 on both the NYSE and on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added a point to 2,079. Bitcoin dropped $22 to $353.