"I'm wondering if that (the market's reaction) is the short-day, pre-holiday weekend or that there is not enough in these numbers that differs from consensus," said Christopher Molumphy, chief investment officer, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group.

"I suppose the only positive is that we still are not seeing job losses that are consistent with recessionary levels, if that is any ray of hope," said Molumphy.

After The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI:^DJI - News) rose 87.77 points to 11,303.28, with 22 of its 30 components trading in positive turf, with General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM - News) leading the gains, up 3.9%.

Down three of the last five trading days, the Dow on Wednesday closed 20.82% off its record high of 14,164.53, hit on Oct. 9, 2007, signaling a so-called 'bear market' in the blue-chip index, its first since the previous one ended in October 2002.

The S&P 500 advanced 2.7 points to 1,264.22, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP - News) gained 2.12 points to 2,253.58, with Nvidia Corp. (NasdaqGS:NVDA - News) among those weighing on the technology sector.