The S&P 500 was up 1.4% in midday trading to 2,017,76.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.3% to 17,218.07.
The NASDAQ was up 1.4% to 4,728.31.
The yield on a 10-year Treasury bond was up 2.5% to 1.98%.
The price of gold was down 1.1% to $1,259.
RESTAURANTS
Costa Mesa-based El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. was down 8% to $13.91 and a $533 million market cap in heavy trading. The company forecast earnings per share in the range of 70 cents to 74 cents for this year. Consensus estimates were for 74 cents on revenue of $396 million.The fast-food chain also reported revenue of $86.3 million for the quarter ended December 30. The number missed analysts’ estimates of $88 million.
AUTOMOTIVE
Irvine-based Autobytel Inc. was up 3% to $20.41and a $241 million market cap in heavy trading. The internet marketing company exceeded analysts’ forecasts when it reported, after market close on Thursday, net revenue of $36 million and net income of $1.4 million for the fourth quarter.