Stocks close higher on earnings, deal news
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U.S. stocks indexes are closing mostly higher as traders welcome more positive news on corporate earnings and deals.
Baker Hughes soared 15 percent late Thursday after a report that Halliburton was in talks to buy the oilfield services company.
The surge mitigated a slump in the energy sector brought on by the latest decline in the price of oil. Crude lost 4 percent and is trading at a four-year low as investors worry about supplies outstripping demand.
Wal-Mart Stores and media conglomerate Viacom rose after reporting results that were better than analysts were expecting.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 edged up a point to 2,039.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 40 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,652, another record.
The Nasdaq rose five points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,680.
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