Mergers and acquisitions buoyed investor enthusiasm to lift the markets to a higher close with the Dow climbing 69 points to 12,161. Nasdaq gained 14 points 2783.
On the upside
International Coal Group (NYSE: ICO) received the Mountaineer Guardian Award for outstanding safety performance in 2010 for four of its mining operations.
Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) retained the services of Goldman Sachs to explore strategic options including the possible sale of the company.
