U.S. stocks ramped higher on Monday, boosted by M&A activity, an upbeat German confidence report and bets that the S&P 500's foray into new high ground could spur further buying. The main indexes finished with solid gains, but ended well off their session highs as the S&P 500 SPX +0.62% failed to score a record closing high. The benchmark index rose 11.46 points, or 0.6%, to finish at 1,847.71 -- just below its Jan. 15 record close at 1,848.38. It had been up more than 22 points intraday. The Dow Jones Industrial AverageDJIA +0.65% gained 105.83 points, or 0.7%, to end at 16,209.13. The Nasdaq COMP +0.69% added 29.56 points, or 0.7%, to close at 4,292.97.
Source: Marketwatch
Source: Marketwatch
