A contraction of the nation's economy in the fourth quarter weighed the markets down to a lower close with the Dow falling 44 points to 13,910. Nasdaq lost 11 points to 3142. On the upside
Endo Health Solutions (Nasdaq: ENDP) engaged in acquisition discussions with potential suitors. Robert Half International (NYSE: RHI) reported higher fourth quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates. Meru Networks (Nasdaq: MERU) narrowed fourth quarter losses more than expected as revenue climbed. On the downside Velti (Nasdaq: VELT) webcast its 2013 Analyst Day today.Profit taking sank shares of Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU). LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) chief executive Xiaofeng Peng will sell 394,000 shares of com pay stock. In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index lost 5 points to 1501.
