It was a mixed close for the markets with the Dow rising 48 points to 13,058 as Microsoft ups its bid for Yahoo. Nasdaq slipped 4 points to 2477.

On the upside

Aventine Renewable Energy (NYSE: AVR) reported first quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that surpassed estimates by a wide margin.

Increased sales lifted first quarter earnings for Barnes Group (NYSE: B) to beat expectations.

Shares of Sallie Mae (NYSE: SLM) rose after Congress approved a bill that would lift the limits for federally subsidized student loans.

On the downside

Cirrus Logic (Nasdaq: CRUS) swung to a loss for the fourth quarter and forecast first quarter results that fell short of estimates.

Thor Industries (NYSE: THO) blamed falling recreational vehicle sales for a drop in third quarter revenue.

Secure Computing (Nasdaq: SCUR) widened first quarter losses due to slowing sales and litigation costs. The network security company also forecast second quarter results below estimates.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 9 to 7 on the NYSE while decliners edged out advancers by more than 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks slipped 4 points to 726.