Markets Advance As Investors Monitor Europe

The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow climbing 95 points to 12,193 as investors monitored developments in Europe. Nasdaq edged up a fraction to 2656.

On the upside

Investors bought call options on Hecla Mining (NYSE: HL).  

Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK) replaced restructuring advisor Jones Day with Sullivan & Cromwell. 

Comstock Resources (NYSE: CRK) paid approximately $332.7 million to acquire acreage in the Delaware Basin in West Texas.

On the downside

Investors locked in profits on Synovus Financial (NYSE: SNV), whose stock price rose last week after central banks lowered the pricing on existing temporary U. S. dollar liquidity swap arrangements. 

SunTrust (NYSE: STI) reported sharply higher mortgage repurchase expenses in the fourth quarter. 

Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL) suspended work at several facilities at the Lenin Underground mine and at the New-Olzherassk mine.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by more than 7 to 5 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a fraction to 746.