The markets closed mixed with the Dow losing 23 points to 18,529 ahead of Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen's speech on Friday. Nasdaq rose 6 points to 5,244.

On the upside

AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE: AMC) loaned a total of $65 million to RLJ Entertainment (Nasdaq: RLJE) sparking speculation that AMC may buy RLJ.

Tang Capital Partners acquired a 9.6% stake in Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: CYCC).

Novatel Wireless (Nasdaq: MIFI) stock climbed for the fifth day.

On the downside

Investors locked in profits on Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY).

Shares of California Resources (NYSE: CRC) extended its losses.

DDRDGOLD (NYSE: DRD) warned that full year earnings could drop as much as 20% from last year.

In the broad market, advancing issues were on par with decliners on the NYSE while advancers outpaced decliners by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 slipped a point to 2,182. Bitcoin gained $7 to $585.