Drop In Durable Goods Orders Weighs Down Markets

A drop in durable goods orders weighed the markets down to a lower open with the Dow losing 22 points to 10,515. Nasdaq fell 7 points to 2280.

On the upside

Health Grades (Nasdaq: HGRD) reported higher second quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates and announced that private equity firm Vestar Capital Partners will acquire the company for approximately $294 million.

Enbridge Energy Partners (NYSE: EEP) will pay approximately $682 million in cash to acquire Atlas Pipeline Partners' (NYSE: APL) Elk City facilities.

Second quarter earnings for Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) rose to beat expectations prompting the company to lift its full year guidance.

On the downside

Allos Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ALTH) widened second quarter losses.

Century Aluminum (Nasdaq: CENX) swung to a profit for the second quarter but the results fell short of estimates.

Global Payments (NYSE: GPN) reported lower fourth quarter earnings that fell short of expectations and forecast 2011 results below estimates prompting a downgrade.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of 9 to 7 on the NYSE and by 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a point to 660.