Existing home sales soared by a greater than expected 5.6% in November to lift the markets to a higher open with the Dow climbing 84 points to 24,838. Nasdaq gained 28 points to 6,991.

On the upside

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB) reported record software and services revenue for the third quarter as well as record gross margins.

Micron Technology (Nasdaq: MU) reported higher first quarter earnings and revenue and forecast current quarter results ahead of expectations.

HRG Group (NYSE: HRG) submitted a new proposal to Spectrum Brands Holdings (NYSE: SPB) for a potential transaction.

On the downside

Stitch Fix (Nasdaq: SFIX) reported disappointing earnings that fell short of estimates in its first earnings report as a publicly traded company.

Red Hat (NYSE: RHT) reported higher third quarter earnings and revenue that topped analyst estimates but the stock price fell.

Multiple class action lawsuits have filed against Qudian (NYSE: QD).

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 6 to 5 on both the NYSE and on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 7 points to 2,688. Bitcoin slipped $22 to $17,305.