NEW YORK (AP) – U.S. stocks are starting the week slightly higher following two weeks of losses. Health care stocks are making the biggest gains. Weak economic reports from China are pushing the prices of fuels and precious metals lower.
KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average gained 32 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,772 as of 10:09 a.m. Eastern time. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index picked up 7 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,063.The Nasdaq composite index rose 25 points, or 0.5 percent, to 4,760.
DOUGH FOR DOUGHNUTS: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts agreed to be taken private by JAB Beech for about $1.35 billion, or $21 per share. The company’s Board approved the sale and shareholders will vote on it in June. Krispy Kreme’s stock jumped $4.10, or 24.3 percent, to $20.96.
OUT OF THE CLUB: LendingClub tumbled $1.76, or 24.8 percent, to $5.34 after its chairman and CEO resigned. Renaud Laplanche left the company after an internal review of the sale of $22 million in loans to an investor.
TASTY: Meat producer Tyson Foods raised its annual projections after its second-quarter results surpassed Wall Street estimates. Its stock added $2.24, or 3.3 percent, to $69.49.