Upbeat earnings lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow rising 20 points to 23,348. Nasdaq gained 12 points to 6,641.

On the upside

Seagate Technology (Nasdaq: STX) reported higher first quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates.

VF (Nasdaq: VFC) reported higher third quarter earnings that beat expectations prompting the company to lift its full year forecast.

Macquarie Group increased its stake in Western Digital (Nasdaq: WDC) by 20,621 shares.

On the downside

Morgan Stanley downgraded General Electric (NYSE: GE) from an Equal Weight rating to an Underweight rating.

Hasbro (Nasdaq: HAS) reported higher third quarter earnings that beat expectations but the toymaker warned that holiday sales would be weak due to the bankruptcy of Toys R Us.

Hartford Financial Services (NYSE: HIG) will pay approximately $1.45 billion to acquire Aetna's (NYSE: AET) group life and disability business.

In the broad market, advancing issues barely edged out decliners by a slim margin on the NYSE while decliners outpaced advancers by nearly 9 to 8 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 3 points to 2,578. Bitcoin plunged $197 to $5,702.