Despite a drop in industrial production and rising oil prices, the markets closed higher with the Dow climbing 67 points to 13,177. Nasdaq gained 19 points to 2637.

On the upside

Rubicon Technology (Nasdaq: RBCN) stock surged on its first day of trading.

Analysts cited Suntech Power's (NYSE: STP) impressive third quarter earnings and bullish production forecast for lifting their price targets for the solar panel maker.

Japan Post Network selected Aflac (NYSE: AFL) as the sole provider of cancer insurance for Japan's post office network.

On the downside

While Chordiant Software (Nasdaq: CHRD) subsidiary swung to a fourth quarter profit, the business software maker provided a disappointing 2008 outlook.

YRC Worldwide (Nasdaq: YRCW) acknowledged that the trucking market is experiencing weakness and will continue to slump.

Piper Jaffrey initiated coverage of China Digital TV Holding (NYSE: STV) with a Buy rating but the stock price plunged.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 10 to 9 both on the NYSE and on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks lost 2 points to 770.