The markets advanced during the midday with the Dow gaining 68 points to 19,683. Nasdaq rose 12 points to 5,429.
Nintendo will launch its first mobile app, Super Mario Run, on December 15 in 151 countries. A demo version will be available for free with limited access to the three modes. For $9.99, players will have full access to World Tour, Toad Rally and Kingdom Builder. In order to play, an active Internet connection must be maintained at all times.
Samsung will release a new software update for the Galaxy Note 7 on December 19 that will prevent the device from charging thus rendering the smartphone useless. The Galaxy Note 7 was recalled in September after reports that the device caught on fire. Approximately 93% of the Note 7 in the U.S. has been returned to Samsung.
Twenty-First Century Fox offered a premium of approximately $14.1 billion in cash to acquire the remaining shares of European pay-TV group Sky that it does not already own. Fox currently holds a 39.1% stake in the British broadcaster. The acquisition would provide Fox a distribution platform for its content in Europe.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of nearly 5 to 4 on the NYSE while advancers edged out decliners by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index gained 6 points to 2,252. Bitcoin edged up a fraction to $766.
