Upbeat earnings lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow gaining 47 points to 11,110. Nasdaq added 2 points to 2471.
On the upside
St. Jude Medical (NYSE: STJ) will pay approximately $1.04 billion in cash and stock to acquire heart device maker AGA Medical Holdings (Nasdaq: AGAM).
Quicksilver Resources (NYSE: KWK) received an inquiry to take the company private.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Allergan's (NYSE: AGN) Botox for the treatment of chronic migraines.
On the downside
Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) reported third quarter earnings that more than doubled but revenue fell short of analyst expectations.
Fluor (NYSE: FLR) announced a $163 million charge in the third quarter for rising expenses related to a wind project off the coast of the United Kingdom.
McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR) narrowed third quarter losses but the results fell short of analyst expectations prompting the company to lower it full year production guidance.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by more than 8 to 5 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks rose 4 points to 708.
