The markets traded higher during the midday with the Dow gaining 30 points to 18,548. Nasdaq climbed 25 points to 5,099.
Yahoo began its search for a buyer four months ago and is close to finalizing a deal. A handful of offers have been made but Yahoo is reportedly in discussions with Verizon for a deal approaching $5 billion. Yahoo is expected to announce a deal by the end of the month.
Online retailer Amazon has partnered with Wells Fargo to offer student loans to Amazon Prime Student members. The loans will provide a 0.5% discount on private student loans. Amazon clarified that it is not a lender and is neither underwriting nor originating any loans.
PayPal and Visa ended their ongoing rivalry with a deal to work together. PayPal's mobile app will now have access to Visa's payment equipment in brick-and-mortar stores. PayPal will streamline the process for consumers who want to use their Visa credit or debit cards when paying with PayPal.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 7 points to 2,172. Bitcoin dropped $8 to $654.
