Upbeat Economic Data Lifts Markets To Higher Close

Expansion of the nation's service sector along with the addition of more than expected jobs lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow gaining 44 points to 10,680. Nasdaq climbed 20 points to 2303.

On the upside

Web.com Group (Nasdaq: WWWW) swung to a loss for the second quarter but expects earnings of $1 per share for 2011.

JS Acquisition extended its offer to acquire outstanding shares of Emmis Communications (Nasdaq: EMMS) for $2.40 per share.

Orient-Express Hotels (NYSE: OEH) narrowed second quarter losses.

On the downside

An article in TheStreetSweeper questioned the Local.com's (Nasdaq: LOCM) management team.

Longbow downgraded Titanium Metals (NYSE: TIE).

Mueller Water Products (NYSE: MWA) reported a third quarter loss.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks gained 5 points to 661.