Private employers added a greater than expected 217,000 jobs last month to lift the markets to a higher open with the Dow rising 40 points to 12,098. Nasdaq gained 18 points to 2755.

On the upside

PPL (NYSE: PPL) will pay approximately $5.6 billion in cash to acquire E.ON UK's Central Networks electricity distribution business in England.

First quarter earnings for VeriFone Systems (NYSE: PAY) nearly tripled to surpass analyst estimates as revenue rose prompting the electronic payment solutions firm to lifts its outlook for the second quarter as well as the full year.

Online apparel and cosmetics retailer Mecox Lane (Nasdaq: MCOX) will be acquired for approximately $66 million by Chinese Internet portal Sina (Nasdaq: SINA).

On the downside