Toward the end of trading Thursday, the Dow traded up 0.18 percent to 17,821.51 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.21 percent to 4,962.80. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.16 percent to 2,102.65.
Thursday afternoon, the healthcare sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KERX) and Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FOLD).
Achaogen Inc (NASDAQ: AKAO) shares shot up 26 percent to $4.03. Achaogen raised $25 million in private placement and has been awarded a $20 million contract option by the BARDA to support the development of plazomicin. The company also disclosed that it achieved more than 50 percent patient enrollment in its ongoing final stage EPIC registration clinical trial of plazomicin.
Shares of Repros Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: RPRX) got a boost, shooting up 22 percent to $2.07 after reporting success of its Enclomiphene drug to treat secondary hypogonadism. The Drug is on track for registration decision in Fall 2017.
Joy Global Inc. (NYSE: JOY) shares were also up, gaining 18 percent to $19.65 as the company reported stronger-than-expected earnings for its second quarter.
Conn's Inc (NASDAQ: CONN) shares dropped 24 percent to $8.95 as the company reported downbeat quarterly results. Conn's posted a Q1 loss of $0.31 per share on revenue of $389.1 million.
Shares of Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: SRPT) were down 26 percent to $15.90 after reports surfaced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may pressure the company to provide its Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with at-cost access to its eteplirsen therapy on a "compassionate use."
American Woodmark Corporation (NASDAQ: AMWD) was down, falling around 17 percent to $66.88 as the company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings.
In commodity news, oil traded up 0.27 percent to $49.14 while gold traded down 0.12 percent to $1,213.30.
Silver traded up 0.62 percent Thursday to $16.03, while copper fell 0.22 percent to $2.07.
European shares closed mixed today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 gained 0.07 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.46 percent, while Italy's FTSE MIB Index fell 0.24 percent. Meanwhile the German DAX gained 0.03 percent, and the French CAC 40 declined 0.21 percent, while U.K. shares fell 0.10 percent.