Merger and acquisition activity lifted the markets to a higher open with the Dow climbing 78 points to 18,224. Nasdaq soared 39 points to 5,296.
On the upside
Unilife (Nasdaq: UNIS) completed its internal investigation into possible securities violations by former chief executive Alan Shortall and has found no financial loss to the company. With the investigation complete, the company has filed its delayed annual and first quarter financial reports.
B/E Aerospace (Nasdaq: BEAV) will be acquired by Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) for a premium of approximately $6.4 billion in cash and stock.
T-Mobile (Nasdaq: TMUS) reported higher third quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates and lifted its customer additions forecast.
On the downside
Tidewater (NYSE: TDW) received extensions of limited waivers from lenders and note holders.
China Oceanwide Holdings will pay approximately $2.7 billion in cash to acquire Genworth Financial (NYSE: GNW).
JPMorgan downgraded Ariad Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARIA) from a Neutral rating to an Underweight rating.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 5 to 2 on both the NYSE and Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 climbed 10 points 2,151. Bitcoin eased to $651.
