The markets opened higher with the Dow gaining 66 points to 19,909 as crude oil prices edged up. Nasdaq climbed 44 points to 5,481.
On the upside
xG Technology (Nasdaq: XGTI) will acquire Vislink Communication Systems from Vislink.
Allied World Assurance (NYSE: AWH) will be acquired by Fairfax Financial Holdings for a premium of approximately $4.9 billion in cash and stock.
Xoxo Oncology (Nasdaq: LOXO) provided an updated timeline for accelerated approval of larotrectinib.
On the downside
Shares of Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) fell on news of Indonesia's draft proposal to ease an export ban on copper, nickel and bauxite.
Vale (NYSE: VALE) will sell its fertilizer business to Mosaic for $2.5 billion in cash and stock.
Investors locked in profits on Evoke Pharma (Nasdaq: EVOK).
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 index gained 8 points to 2,266. Bitcoin added $2 to $785.
