Alliance Data Systems Corp. (NYSE: ADS) shares were up 5.2 percent to $76.03. Volume for the stock was 2.1 million shares, compared to an average of 634,000, after the credit-card processor reported fourth-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street forecasts.

Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT) traded in 34.6 million shares, making it a volume leader, while trailing its daily average of 62 million. Prices for the software maker were flat at $28.00.

Key Tronic Corporation (Nasdaq: KTCC) shares tumbled 21.3 percent to $4.72, on volume of 957,000, compared to an average of only 62,000, after announcing quarterly revenues that proved 36-percent higher than the prior-year quarter.