Mid-Day Market Update: Weight Watchers Jumps On Oprah Stake; Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Shares Drop

Midway through trading Monday, the Dow traded down 0.04 percent to 17,208.46 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.53 percent to 4,912.45. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.01 percent to 2,033.32.

In trading on Monday, healthcare shares jumped by 0.30 percent. Top gainers in the sector included

, up 18 percent, and

, up 10 percent. In trading on Monday, energy shares dipped by 1.94 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included

, down 8 percent, and

, off 8 percent.

reported weaker-than-expected earnings for the third quarter. The New York-based bank posted a quarterly profit of $1.02 billion, or $0.48 per share, compared to $1.69 billion, or $0.83 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding DVA and the net discrete tax benefit in the year-ago quarter, the bank's net income dropped to $740 million, or $0.34 per share, from $1.3 billion, or $0.64 per share in the year-earlier period. Its revenue declined 12.8 percent to $7.77 billion. Excluding accounting adjustments, revenue came in at $7.33 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.63 per share on revenue of $8.54 billion.

shares shot up 84 percent to $12.50. Oprah Winfrey will buy a 10 percent stake in Weight Watchers International, and will also join the company's board. Shares of

got a boost, shooting up 16 percent to $6.57 after the company agreed to be acquired by Harrison Street Real Estate Capital for $1.9 billion.

shares were also up, gaining 14 percent to $11.69 on a higher bid from

. Microsemi offered to acquire PMC-Sierra in a $2.4 billion deal.

shares tumbled 29 percent to $5.12 following announcement of suspension of development of GEN-004. Shares of

were down 21 percent to $4.23. Great Lakes reported that it has initiated a review of potential strategic alternatives. The company has withdrawn its FY15 EBITDA forecast and also reported the retirement of CEO Jonathan W. Berger.

was down, falling 6 percent to $32.07 after the bank reported weaker-than-expected earnings for the third quarter.

In commodity news, oil traded down 2.26 percent to $46.19, while gold traded down 1 percent to $1,171.30. Silver traded down 1.86 percent Monday to $15.82, while copper fell 1.48 percent to $2.37.

European shares were mixed today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 climbed 0.31 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index fell 0.18 percent, while Italy's FTSE MIB Index surged 0.46 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX climbed 0.65 percent, and the French CAC 40 rose 0.03 percent, while U.K. shares fell 0.44 percent.

The NAHB housing market index climbed to 64.00 in October, versus a prior reading of 62.00. However, economists were expecting a reading of 62.00.