Merck News Gives Markets Shot in the Arm

Dow rises 92.34 on component's earnings, big oil merger
By Greg Atwan,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 23, 2007 4:24 PM CDT
Merck News Gives Markets Shot in the Arm
Busy traders enter and exit Bear Stearns.   (Getty Images)

Stocks rallied across the board today, after a number of major buyouts and earnings reports diverted traders' attentions from the foundering subprime market and an enervated dollar once again. The Dow was up 2.34 to 13943.42 after drug-maker Merck, a major component of the index, reported its best earnings since April, a far better result than expected.

The Nasdaq added 2.98 to 2690.58 and the S&P gained 7.47 to close at 1541.57. A major oil merger also helped to buoy markets: GlobalSantaFe, the world's second-largest offshore oil driller, agreed to a buyout by rival Transocean, the world's largest. Both companies saw a leap in share value; their merger will create a driller with a market cap around $48 bil. (More transocean stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X