Slowing expansion of the services industry in China weighed the markets down to a lower open with the Dow falling 54 points to 14,034. Nasdaq lost 8 points to 3160.

On the upside

A. Schulman (Nasdaq: SHLM) offered a premium of approximately $563 million in cash and stock to acquire Ferro (NYSE: FOE).

Research Driven Investing wrote that the improving housing market would benefit mortgage insurer MGIC Investment (NYSE: MTG).

Stratasys (Nasdaq: SSYS) narrowed fourth quarter losses more than expected as revenue soared.

On the downside

Select Comfort (Nasdaq: SCSS) warned that sales have fallen short and that the mattress maker would most likely miss internal goals for the first quarter.

Hecla Mining (NYSE: HL) will pay approximately $774 million to acquire Aurizon Mines.

Shares of Atlantic Power (NYSE: AT) continued falling after reporting a wider fourth quarter loss and lowering its dividend last week.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 9 to 7 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index slipped 3 points to 1514.