Optimism that Congress will pass a compromise tax plan lifted the markets to a modestly higher open with the Dow adding a point to 11,371. Nasdaq rose 3 points to 2619.
On the upside
Tenet Healthcare (NYSE: THC) received a $7.3 billion cash and stock acquisition offer from Community Health Systems.
Beckman Coulter (NYSE: BEC) retained the services of Goldman Sachs to explore strategic options to increase shareholder value including the possible sale of the company.
The underwriters of Youku.com's (NYSE: YOKU) initial public offering purchased approximately 2.3 million additional American depositary shares by exercising their over-allotment option.
On the downside
Fourth quarter earning rose for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Nasdaq: GMCR) to top analyst estimates but the company forecast disappointing first quarter income and lowered its fiscal 2011 guidance.
Aastrom Biosciences (Nasdaq: ASTM) priced its public offering of 10 million units at $2.25 per unit.
While National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM) reported higher third quarter earnings, the company warned of lower fourth quarter results.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks edged up a fraction to 767.
