A potential government shutdown weighed the markets down to a lower close with the Dow tumbling 97 points to 26,017. Nasdaq slipped 2 points to 7296.

On the upside

GNC Holdings (NYSE: GNC) reported a strong 5.7% gain in fourth quarter same store sales and forecast fourth quarter earnings well ahead of estimates.

Five Oaks Investment (NYSE: OAKS) entered an agreement with Hunt Investment Management to provide Five Oaks with a new strategic direction.

Electro Scientific Industries (Nasdaq: ESIO) reported preliminary third quarter earnings that surpassed previous guidance.

On the downside

Shares of Adtran (Nasdaq: ADTN) extended its losses.

Paratek Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PRTK) sold approximately 3.2 million common shares for an estimated $50 million.

Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE: IIPR) priced its public offering of 2.8 million common shares at the discounted price of $26.00 per share.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 5 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 lost 4 points to 2,798. Bitcoin soared $328 to $11,440.