Jobless Claims Fall While Home Sales Soar, Markets Close Higher

Falling jobless claims and soaring existing home sales lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow adding 9 points to 11,134. Nasdaq gained 14 points to 2519.

On the upside

Shares of Dehaier Medical Systems (Nasdaq: DHRM) leaped more than 50% on its first trading day.

Isilon Systems (Nasdaq: ISLN) reversed year ago losses to post a first quarter profit that topped analyst estimates as revenue soared.

RAIT Financial Trust (NYSE: RAS) sold its collateral management rights for eight Taberna securitizations to an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group for $16.5 million.

On the downside

McClatchy (Nasdaq: MNI) swung to a profit due to an accounting benefit but revenue dropped.

Janus Capital Group (NYSE: JNS) reversed year ago losses to post a first quarter profit but the results fell short of expectations.

Greece's budget deficit ballooned to 13.6% of the nation's gross domestic product sending shares of National Bank of Greece (NYSE: NBG) lower.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks climbed 8 points to 734.