December payrolls rose by 148,000 to lift the markets to a higher open with the Dow gaining 39 points to 25,114. Nasdaq rose 28 points to 7105.

On the upside

Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage of Tellurian (Nasdaq: TELL) with a Buy rating.

Robert W. Baird upgraded USG (NYSE: USG) from a Neutral rating to an Outperform rating and lifted its price target from $35.00 to $45.00.

Shares of ChinaCache International Holdings (Nasdaq: CCIH) surged over expectations that the company's unlicensed rivals in China will shut down.

On the downside

Shares of Roku (Nasdaq: ROKU) extended its losses.

Francesca's Holdings (Nasdaq: FRAN) cut its fourth quarter forecast due to disappointing holiday results.

Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS) reported a drop in holiday sales.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 3 to 2 on both the NYSE and on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 8 points to 2,731. Bitcoin leaped $953 to $16,003.