The markets closed modestly higher with the Dow adding 9 points to 23,548 as last minute changes are made to the GOP tax bill. Nasdaq gained 22 points to 6,786.

On the upside

Diana Containership (Nasdaq: DCIX) stock surged again.

Shares of Basic Energy Services (NYSE: BAS) extended its gains.

Shares of California Resources (NYSE: CRC) soared ahead of its earnings release.

On the downside

Shares of Tivity Health (Nasdaq: TVTY) plunged after rival UnitedHealth Group expanded a program that competes against Tivity's SilverSneakers .

Investors locked in profits on Xunlei (Nasdaq: XNET).

Shares of Evolent Health (NYSE: EVH) extended its losses.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 3 to 2 the NYSE and by nearly 6 to 5 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 added 3 points to 2,591. Bitcoin fell $24 to $6,958.