The markets closed sharply higher with the Dow soaring 109 points to 15,848 over strong earnings. Nasdaq surged 71 points to 4123. 

On the upside 

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALXN) fell to a loss for the fourth quarter but the results were better than expected and the company forecast 2014 results ahead of estimates.

Progenics Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PGNX) reported positive results from a Phase 2 study of its PSMA targeted imaging agent 1404.

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) widened fourth quarter losses but revenue surged to beat expectations and the company forecast current quarter and full year revenue above analyst estimates.

On the downside

KaloBio (Nasdaq: KBIO) reported disappointing results from a Phase 2 study of its severe asthma treatment KB003. 

The New York Post reported that J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) raised prices in order to advertise steep discounts for Valentine’s Day shopping.

Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) reported higher fourth quarter earnings but the results missed expectations.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 7 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 3 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 climbed 19 points to 1794. Bitcoin gained $36.55 or 3.89% to $940.07.