The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow falling 35 points to 10,974 while Nasdaq added 4 points to 2406 over growing concerns of an international currency war.

On the upside

Czech Republic solar integrator will distribute Ascent Solar Technologies' (Nasdaq: ASTI) thin film CIGS modules.

Geron (Nasdaq: GERN) began the nation's first clinical trial using embryonic stem cells for the treatment of injuries in humans.

U.S. Airways (NYSE: LCC) reported a 7.5% increase in September revenue passenger miles compared with last year.

On the downside

Nasdaq will delist Tongxin International (Nasdaq: TXIC) on October 14 for failing to produce regulatory filing Form 20-F.

Sterne Agee analyst Andrew Huang initiated coverage of Rubicon Technology (Nasdaq: RBCN) with a Sell rating citing a possible oversupply of crystalline products in 2011.

Corinthian Colleges (Nasdaq: COCO) president and chief operating officer Matt Ouimet will leave the for-profit educator on October 31.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 3 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 10 to 9 on Nasdaq.