Santa Clara-based Sun Microsystems Inc. (JAVA) had dipped in midday trading Wednesday by more than 3.2 percent, the largest drop among local stocks tracked by The Examiner. Mountain View-based Verisign Inc. (VRSN) also dropped by more than 2.4 percent.

San Francisco-based McKesson Corp. (MCK), which released a positive earnings report Tuesday, soared by more than 10.5 percent by midday Wednesday. San Jose-based SunPower Inc. (SPWR) also rose, showing a more than 4.3 percent increase by midday.

The markets were up overall, with the Dow Jones showing a more than 0.5 percent increase, the Nasdaq a more than 0.7 percent increase and the S&P 500 up more than 0.6 percent.

Local companies in the news include Santa Clara-based Intel Corp. (INTC) , which has launched a program training teachers and providing computers in Nigeria, according to the Associated Press. Oakland-based Clorox Co. (CLX) also announced plans to buy natural health and beauty product maker Burt’s Bees, according to Dow Jones newswires.