The markets advanced during the midday on merger news with the Dow soaring 117 points to 17,812. Nasdaq climbs 30 points to 4,809.
On the upside
The Wall Street Journal reported that Mondelez offered a premium of $107 per shares in cash and stock to acquire Hershey (NYSE: HSY).
Higher One Holdings (NYSE: ONE) will be acquired by an affiliate of Blackboard for a premium of approximately $260 million in cash.
Google Capital will invest $46.35 million in Care.com (NYSE: CRCM).
On the downside
Shares of Costamare (NYSE: CMRE) extended its losses.
AirMedia Group (Nasdaq: AMCN) fell again.
Retreating crude oil price weigh down shares of Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK).
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 12 points to 2,083. Bitcoin climbed $31 to $657.
