Strong December job growth lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow rising 32 points to 16,546. Nasdaq gained 29 points to 4,718.

On the upside

Athersys (Nasdaq: ATHX) partnered with Healios to develop and commercialize cell therapy treatment MultiStem to treat ischemic stroke in Japan.

NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) will sell TransMontaigne to an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners for $350 million in cash.

Avondale upgraded SunEdison (Nasdaq: SUNE) from a Market Perform rating to a Market Outperform rating.

On the downside

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) reported a smaller than expected increase in fourth quarter same store sales.

Barracuda Networks (NYSE: CUDA) widened third quarter losses more than expected prompting a downgrade.

The Gap (NYSE: GPS) disappointed with a 4% drop in December same store sales.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 4 points to 1,947. Bitcoin edged up to $454.