Bojangles and AOL Ride the Equities Wave Higher on Jobs Optimism

Stocks extended their gains by mid-morning after opening sharply higher on strong U.S. jobs data. The Labor Department said nonfarm payrolls rose by 223,000 in April, slightly below estimates but a significant rise from the month before. The unemployment rate fell to 5.4%, in line with expectations. Elsewhere, shares of Southern fried chicken chain Bojangles (BOJA) were soaring after beginning its first day of trading on the Nasdaq. AOL (AOL) was climbing after reporting quarterly results that beat expectations. Adjusted earnings came in at $0.34 a share, topping estimates of $0.32 a share. Plus, shares of WhiteWave (WWAV) were jumping after the natural and organic company posted a 7.9% rise in first-quarter profit and raised its full-year guidance.