M&A Activity Lifts Markets Modestly Higher

The markets closed modestly higher despite weakness in factory orders as investors focused on mergers and acquisitions activity. The Dow added 8 points to 13,676 while Nasdaq rose 4 points to 2618. S&P 500 gained 3 points to 1539 while the 30-year bond edged up as the yield slipped to 5.022%.