Stocks Open Higher as Ukraine Tensions Ease

U.S. stocks opened higher on Monday as the threat of an escalation in Ukraine appeared to lessen and the latest flurry of merger action supported equities. The Dow Jones industrial average lately rose 96.46 points, or 0.58 percent, to 16,759.37. The S&P 500 gained 10.06 points, or 0.51 percent, to 1,965.12. The Nasdaq Composite added 23.76 points, or 0.53 percent, to 4,488.69.

Establishing a tax domicile abroad to avoid U.S. taxes is a hot strategy in corporate America, but many companies that have done such “inversion” deals have failed to produce above-average returns for investors, a Reuters analysis has found.

The discount retailer made a $8.95 billion bid for Family Dollar Stories Inc. (FDO) Dollar General’s all-cash offer amounts to $78.50 per share, more than a rival bid for Family Dollar by Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR) for $74.50 per share. Dollar General and Family Dollar both gained, while Dollar Tree slipped.

Target Corp. is keeping its doors open later at more than half of its U.S. stores, hoping to snag guests who are putting off shopping until well after dark and might have gone elsewhere.