An increase in first time applications for unemployment benefits along with a disappointing new home construction report weighed the markets down to a modestly lower close with Dow slipping 6 points to 18,105. Nasdaq lost 3 points to 5,007.

On the upside

First quarter earnings fell for Travelzoo (Nasdaq: TZOO) but the results were better than expected.

Identiv (Nasdaq: INVE) entered an agreement with Cisco Systems (Nasdaq: CSCO) to provide solutions for the Internet of Everything.

Biostar Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: BSPM) reported higher fourth quarter earnings and revenue.

On the downside

Shares of Angie’s List (Nasdaq: ANGI) continued falling after announcing yesterday that co-founder and chief executive Bill Oesterle would leave the company.

Athersys (Nasdaq: ATHX) stock extended its losses.

Shares of Ocwen Financial (NYSE: OCN) continued falling.
 
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of 9 to 7 on the NYSE and by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 slipped a point to 2104. Bitcoin gained $7 to $227.