Fed Says Economy Making Modest Improvements

On the upside

For the first quarter of fiscal 2010, Amtech Systems (Nasdaq: ASYS) booked $59 million in orders.

American Capital's (Nasdaq: ACAS) wholly owned affiliate European Capital received euro 66.8 million from the sale three portfolio companies.

Synovus Financial (NYSE: SNV) has a presence in the warmer southeastern parts of the nation making it an attractive take-over target.

On the downside

Regulators informed Amcore Financial (Nasdaq: AMFI) that its capital restoration plan failed to meet statutory requirements.

Jackson Hewitt (NYSE: JTX) warned that it may not be able to offer tax-refund anticipation loans.

Old National Bancorp (NYSE: ONB) must record a $12 million loss in the fourth quarter from a single loan.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks climbed 8 points to 643.