The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow rising 17 points to 18,217 while Nasdaq lost 12 points to 5,237.
Qualcomm will acquire fellow chipmaker NXP Semiconductors for a premium of approximately $38.5 billion. Qualcomm designs chips for smartphones while NXP makes chips for near-field communications. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2017.
Belgium has ended its opposition to the EU-Canada free trade agreement with a compromise. A four-page addendum to the agreement was drafted to address regional concerns. Ambassadors from all 28 EU members approved the addendum.
United Parcel Service ordered 14 Boeing 474-8 cargo jets for approximately $5.3 billion to expand their operations. The package delivery service will take delivery of the aircraft over a three year period beginning next year. The new aircraft will be used on international routes.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 edged up a fraction to 2,140. Bitcoin gained $7 to $680.
