Mid-Morning Market Update: Markets Open Higher; Visa To Acquire Visa Europe

Following the market opening Monday, the Dow traded up 0.41 percent to 17,735.69 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.54 percent to 5,081.19. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.51 percent to 2,089.99.Leading and Lagging SectorsIn trading on Monday, healthcare shares jumped by 1.03 percent. Top gainers in the sector included Dyax Corp. (NASDAQ: DYAX), up 31 percent, and Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ: CERS), up 9 percent. In trading on Monday, technology shares dipped by 0.27 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), down 5 percent, and Quality Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: QSII), off 4 percent.Top Headline Visa Inc (NYSE: V) reported a rise in its fiscal fourth-quarter profit. The company also agreed to acquire Visa Europe Ltd. in a deal worth up to 21.2 billion euros.The San Francisco, California-based company posted quarterly earnings of $1.51 billion, or $0.62 per share, compared to $1.07 billion, or $0.43 per share, in the year-ago period. Its revenue climbed to $3.57 billion from $3.23 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.63 per share on revenue of $3.57 billion. Visa also reported a new $5 billion stock buyback program. Equities Trading UP Dyax Corp. (NASDAQ: DYAX) shares shot up 31 percent to $36.20 after the company agreed to be acquired by Shire PLC (ADR) (NASDAQ: SHPG) for $5.9 billion.Shares of MedAssets, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDAS) got a boost, shooting up 30 percent to $30.80 after the company agreed to be acquired by Pamplona Capital Management for $2.7 billion. Constant Contact Inc (NASDAQ: CTCT) shares were also up, gaining 23 percent to $32.05 after the company agreed to be acquired by Endurance International Group Hldgs Inc (NASDAQ: EIGI) for $1.1 billion.Equities Trading DOWN Endurance International Group Hldgs Inc (NASDAQ: EIGI) shares tumbled 15 percent to $11.32. Endurance International reported a Q3 loss of $0.12 per share on sales of $188.5 million and announced plans to buy Constant Contact Inc (NASDAQ: CTCT) in a $1.1 billion deal. Shares of Revance Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: RVNC) were down 5 percent to $37.05 after the company reported a proposed public offering of common stock. Lendingtree Inc (NASDAQ: TREE) was down, falling 6 percent to $114.55 after the company reported the commencement of a common stock offering.CommoditiesIn commodity news, oil traded down 1.29 percent to $45.99, while gold traded down 0.41 percent to $1,136.70. Silver traded down 1.07 percent Monday to $15.40, while copper fell 0.39 percent to $2.31.EurozoneEuropean shares were mostly higher today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 gained 0.28 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.62 percent, while Italy's FTSE MIB Index surged 0.43 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX climbed 0.86 percent, and the French CAC 40 gained 0.45 percent, while U.K. shares fell 0.21 percent.EconomicsThe final reading of the Markit manufacturing PMI rose to 54.10 in October, versus a prior reading of 54.00. Economists were expecting a reading of 54.00.The ISM manufacturing index slipped to 50.10 in October, versus a previous reading of 50.20. However, economists were projecting a reading of 50.00.US construction spending rose 0.60 percent in September, versus economists' expectations for a 0.50 percent growth.