The Dow and S&P 500 advanced to their highest levels since June 2008 on Monday buoyed by merger reports and solid earnings.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 77.99 points or 0.64 per cent to 12,170.14. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was up 9.88 points or 0.75 per cent at 1,320.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 21.26 points or 0.77 per cent to 2,790.56.