U.S. stocks rose on Monday, as a retreat in oil prices eased concerns about lowered corporate profits, while a deal to acquire financial technology company SunGard Data Systems Inc. boosted hopes of more acquisitions to come. SunGard, an S&P 500 constituent, jumped about 10 percent to $34.58 after a group of private equity investment firms agreed to buy the company for about $10.8 billion plus the assumption of debt in the biggest leveraged buyout in more than 15 years. There was little immediate reaction to news of an 8.2 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Island, traders said. Insurer American International Group Inc. helped the Dow, rising about 1.8 percent to $56.61. Merrill Lynch said in a research note that it continued to be a buyer of AIG's stock. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 48.77 points, or 0.47 percent, at 10,491.64. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 4.18 points, or 0.36 percent, at 1,175.60. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 7.45 points, or 0.37 percent, at 1,998.51. NYMEX crude for May delivery fell to $54 a barrel, down 84 cents. Lower oil prices ease the pressure on corporate profits and consumer spending. --More 2355 Local Time 2055 GMT
