Markets extend losses as consumer confidence falls

The markets extended its losses during the midday with the Dow losing 32 points to 17,038 as consumer confidence fell more than expected. Nasdaq dropped 13 points to 4,492.

On the upside

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners (Nasdaq: CPRX) reported positive results from a Phase 3 clinical trial of its Lambert-Eaton myasthenia syndrome treatment Firdapse.

Teekay (NYSE: TK) will increase its dividend payments by 75-80%.

Bank of America/Merrill Lynch upgraded Century Aluminum (Nasdaq: CENX) from a Neutral rating to a Hold rating.

On the downside

PDF Solutions (Nasdaq: PDFS) announced that two contracts that were expected to close will not be signed therefore third quarter as well as full year revenue will be negatively impacted.

Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL) initiated an offering $100 million in convertible senior notes and commenced an offering of 7 million American Depositary Shares.

TravelCenters of America (NYSE: TA) reported lower second quarter earnings.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by nearly 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 lost 6 points to 1971. Bitcoin added $5 to $381.