Mid-Morning Market Update: Markets Open Higher; European Commission Approves AT&T's Deal With Time Warner

Following the market opening Wednesday, the Dow traded up 0.22 percent to 20,883.00 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.12 percent to 5,863.87. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.28 percent to 2,372.00.

Leading and Lagging Sectors

Basic materials shares rose 0.92 percent in trading on Wednesday. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. SCHN, and DRDGOLD Ltd. (ADR) DRD.

In trading on Wednesday, technology shares fell 0.02 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included QAD Inc. QADB, down 11 percent, and Formula Systems (1985) Ltd. (ADR) FORTY, down 7 percent.

Top Headline

AT&T Inc. T disclosed that the European Commission has approved its $85 billion acquisition deal with Time Warner Inc TWX.

The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Equities Trading UP

Digital Power Corporation DPW shares shot up 117 percent to $1.28 after the company reported a $50 million purchase order.

Shares of Everi Holdings Inc EVRI got a boost, shooting up 19 percent to $3.85. Everi reported a Q4 loss of $3.29 per share on revenue of $217.51 million. Telsey Advisory Group upgraded Everi Holdings from Market Perform to Outperform.

Cesca Therapeutics Inc KOOL shares were also up, gaining 18 percent to $3.39 as the company announced encouraging data from a study evaluating the use of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of chronic non-healing ulcers.

Equities Trading DOWN

The Rubicon Project Inc RUBI shares dropped 27 percent to $6.16. Rubicon Project reported upbeat results for its fourth quarter and named Michael Barrett as CEO.

Shares of DragonWave, Inc.(USA) DRWI were down around 21 percent to $1.50. DragonWave reported a $1.79 million private placement.

FTD Companies Inc FTD was down, falling around 17 percent to $19.42. FTD Cos. reported Q4 adjusted net income of $13.3 million on sales of $280.7 million. Sidoti & Co. downgraded FTD from Buy to Neutral.

Commodities

In commodity news, oil traded up 1.57 percent to $49.11 while gold traded down 0.23 percent to $1,199.80.

Silver traded down 0.05 percent Wednesday to $16.92, while copper rose 0.95 percent to $2.66.

Eurozone

European shares were mostly higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 rose 0.26 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.72 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index climbed 0.71 percent. Meanwhile the German DAX fell 0.01 percent, and the French CAC 40 gained 0.10 percent while U.K. shares rose 0.18 percent.

Economics

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.1 percent for February, versus economists’ expectations for a 0.1 percent growth.

U.S. retail sales rose 0.1 percent for February, versus economists’ expectations for a 0.1 percent gain.

The Empire State manufacturing index dropped to 16.4 in March, compared to 18.7 in February. Economists were expecting a reading of 15.

U.S. business inventories rose 0.3 percent for January, compared to economists’ estimates for a 0.3 percent growth.

The NAHB housing market index climbed to 71.00 in March, versus a prior reading of 65.00. Economists were projecting a reading of 65.00.

The Energy Information Administration’s weekly report on petroleum inventories is schedule for release at 10:30 a.m. ET.

The Federal Open Market Committee will announce its policy decision at 2:00 p.m. ET..

The Fed Chair Janet Yellen will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.

The Treasury International Capital data for January is schedule for release at 4:00 p.m. ET.