Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Markets Open Flat

While the nation's employers added jobs in October, the unemployment rate remained steady at 9.6%. The markets opened flat with the Dow slipping 4 points to 11,430 while Nasdaq eased a fraction to 2577.

On the upside

Atmel (Nasdaq: ATML) reversed year ago losses to post a better than expected profit for the third quarter as revenue climbed.

ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) swung to a third quarter profit and lifted its fourth quarter guidance. 

Asia Entertainment & Resources (Nasdaq: AERL) raised $35.5 million through the redemption of warrants.

On the downside

SandRidge Energy (NYSE: SD) blamed derivative contract losses for swinging to an unexpected loss for the third quarter. The natural gas and oil company also announced the resignation of chief financial officer Dirk Van Doren.

DexCom (Nasdaq: DXCM) narrowed losses for the third quarter but revenue fell short of estimates.

Clearwire (NYSE: CLWR) widened third quarter losses as expenses climbed prompting downgrades.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 10 to 9 on the NYSE while decliners edged out advancers by more than 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks edged up a fraction to 734.