The markets opened higher with the Dow rising 22 points to 20,629 as investors snapped up bargains. Nasdaq gained 40 points to 6,051.

On the upside

The Food and Drug Administration granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to GlycoMimetics (Nasdaq: GLYC) for its adult relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia treatment GMI-1271.

Elliott Associates acquired a 9.2% stake in Athenahealth (Nasdaq: ATHN).

The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia completed its first implant of EnteroMedics' (Nasdaq: ETRM) vBloc Neurometabolic Therapy.

On the downside

Ascena Retail Group (Nasdaq: ASNA) slashed its third quarter and full year outlook.

Endologix (Nasdaq: ELGX) must conduct a confirmatory clinical study for its Nellix Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing System.

A massive corruption scandal in Brazil that potentially involves President Michel Temer sent shares of Banco Bradesco (NYSE: BBD) and Itau Unibanco Holding (NYSE: ITUB) tumbling.

The broader S&P 500 rose 6 points to 2,363. Bitcoin surged $47 to $1808.