NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on developments in U.S. financial markets:

4:05 p.m.

A strong signal on the economy and more corporate deals weren't enough to help stocks close higher on Wall Street Monday.

Investors wrote off a report that Americans increased their spending in September at the fastest pace in three months.

In deal news, General Electric announced it would merge its oil and gas division with Baker Hughes, creating a new company with $32 billion in revenue a year.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 19 points, or 0.1 percent, to 18,142. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was flat at 2,126. The Nasdaq composite was also nearly unchanged at 5,189.

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11:45 a.m.

A strong signal on the economy and more corporate deals helped send stocks higher in midday trading on Wall Street.

Investors were encouraged by a report Monday that Americans increased their spending in September at the fastest pace in three months.

In deal news, telecommunications company Level 3 Communications rose 5 percent after agreeing to be acquired by CenturyLink.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 17 points, or 0.1 percent, to 18,177. The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 5 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,131. The Nasdaq composite climbed 13 points, or 0.3 percent, to 5,203.