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From Briefing.com: The broader market began the week with an up Monday. Leading the way higher, the S&P 500 added 30.15 points (+1.49%) to close 2053.19. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also closed higher, as WTI crude oil futures closed the session up 2.5% to $41.70 per barrel. The Dow was up 237.77 points (+1.38%) to 17483.01. The Nasdaq Composite posted the most shallow of gains on the session, albeit ending higher by more than 1.0%. The Nasdaq was up 56.73 points (+1.15%) at session end to 4984.62. Market data today was limited to the Empire Manufacturing Survey forNovember, which posted a decline of -10.7, above last month's mark of -11.4.

Technology (XLK 43.02, +0.65 +1.53%), for its part closed near session highs. Blue chip names like STX +3.70%, AVGO +3.34%, WDC +2.36%, YHOO +2.35%, T +2.26%, CSCO +2.21%, ORCL +2.20%, NVDA +2.01%, VZ +1.83%, HPQ +1.83%, MSFT +1.75%, JNPR +1.74%, GOOG +1.65%, AAPL +1.63% helped the session to the upside.

As 13F filings continue to swarm in, one name that outperformedtoday on the filings was Social Media (SOCL 19.41, +0.18 +0.94%) name United Online (UNTD 12.01, +01.69 +16.38%). Firm B.Riley & Co. disclosed a 7.9% active stake in the company, and sent a letterto the Board to acquire the company for $12.50 per share. Other names in the sectorwhich outperformed today included CYOU +4.33%, SINA +3.80%, NTRI +3.36%, GRPN +2.72%, WB +2.66%, DMD +2.30%, TCEHY +1.84%, LNKD +1.43%.

Also in tech, the S&P 500 Information Technology sector(723.43, +10.14 +1.42%) posted, strong gains as the sector closed near session highs, but just underperformed the S&P 500 index which grabbed gains of 1.49% today. Names like FLIR +10.33%, CSC +6.13%, STX +3.70%, AVGO +3.34%, PYPL +3.13%, ACN +3.08%, HRS +3.04%, FFIV +2.90% took the sector higher.

Other news items among sector components:

Microsoft (MSFT 53.76, +0.92 +1.75%) has launched a new fund to cultivate companies with solutions that bring affordable Internet access to underserved markets.
Qorvo (QRVO 51.84, +0.84 +1.65%) priced its offering of $1 billion in aggregate principal amount of its senior notes maturing in 2023 and 2025.
Xilinx (XLNX 47.09, +0.55 +1.18%) and IBM (IBM 133.71, +1.96 +1.49%) collaborated to develop open acceleration infrastructure, software and middleware to address emerging data center workloads.
Ericsson (ERIC 9.54, +0.30 +3.19%) provided comments on market rumors of being acquired by Cisco (CSCO 26.79, +0.58 +2.21%). The company stated recent partnership had no discussions of merger.
Alliance Data (ADS 287.14, +0.79 +0.28%) provided October update for its Card Services segment. The Average receivables were up 29% year-over-year to $11.99 billion, Delinquency rate 4.5%.
Limelight Networks (LLNW 1.87, -0.18 -8.78%) announced that a US Court of Appeals has denied its request for appeal in their long running intellectual property litigation with Akamai (AKAM 59.14, +0.57 +0.97%).

Elsewhere in the technology space:

Liberty Global (LBTYA 44.10, -1.25 -2.76%) announced a recommended offer to acquire all the outstanding shares of Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWIFX 1.16, +0.08 +7.41%) for about $5.3 billion.
Dynasil Corporation of America's (DYSL 1.68, -0.02 -1.18%) CFO Thomas Leonard to retire effective January 31, 2016. Corporate controller Robert Bowdring will become CFO on February 1, 2016.
Pegasystems (PEGA 28.55, +0.26 +0.92%) announced that CFO Rafe Brown has resigned to assume the role of CFO at a private technology company.
Vishay Precision (VPG 12.12, +0.14 +1.17%) announced restructuring and cost reduction actions, expected to lower operating costs by about $6 million in 2016. The company will take a $4 million charge in 4Q15.
Asure Software (ASUR 4.87, -0.71 -12.72%) approved proposed letter agreement with Wellington Management Group LLP to permit them to increase their aggregate beneficial percentage ownership up to 9.9% by open market purchases.
Telecom Italia (TI 12.40, +0.01 +0.08%) received request from Vivendi (VIVHY 21.15, -0.19 -0.91%) to supplement the agenda of upcoming shareholders meeting. Vivendi is planning to appoint four directors.
Ebix (EBIX 35.30, +1.42 +4.19%) sent a letter to Xchanging Plc's Board outlining its interest in making an offer to acquire it for 175 pence per share, or about 450 million.
First Data (FDC 16.81, -0.16 -0.94%) signed a strategic commercial agreement, to be the preferred provider of cybersecurity and payment processing solutions to NCR (NCR 26.99, +0.57 +2.16%).
SolarWinds (SWI 58.21, +0.17 +0.29%) announced expiration of the HSR waiting period for its acquisition by Silver Lake Partners and Thomas Bravo.
The9 Ltd (NCTY 2.05, +0.08 +4.06%) announced an agreement with Splendid Days Limited, for subscription of $45 million in the company's 12% senior secured convertible bonds.

Analyst action:

NVDA was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Canaccord Genuity, CA was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Citigroup, APH was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman; VMEM was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Maxim Group, TI was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Exane BNP Paribas


4:05 pm : The stock market began the trading week with a broad-based rally, which unfolded after a range-bound start to the trading day. The S&P 500 gained 1.5% while the Nasdaq Composite (+1.2%) underperformed throughout the session.

Overnight, it was reported that the Japanese economy has re-entered recession for the second time in as many years as Q3 GDP contracted 0.2% quarter-over-quarter (expected -0.1%; last -0.3%), according to the preliminary reading. Naturally, that news was met with hopes for more monetary support from the Bank of Japan, which boosted global equities while the yen retreated, sending the dollar/yen pair higher by 0.5% to 123.20. That being said, Japan's Nikkei could not stay in the green, falling 1.0%.

Once the focus turned to the U.S., stocks began the day with slim losses, but the opening weakness was erased promptly. The S&P 500 spent the first two hours of the day just above its flat line, but the index extended its gain during the afternoon with the energy sector (+3.3%) setting the pace.

The energy space extended its lead during afternoon action, aided by a 2.5% spike in crude oil, which put a sizable dent into last week's 8.2% decline. For its part, the energy sector was able to erase almost half of its 5.5% drop from last week.

Unlike energy, the remaining cyclical groups settled behind the broader market with the top-weighted technology sector (+1.4%) ending just behind the benchmark index. Large cap sector components had a solid showing throughout the day while chipmakers rallied into the close with the PHLX Semiconductor Index ending higher by 1.3%.

Elsewhere, financials (+1.3%) and consumer discretionary (+1.2%) spent the morning below their flat lines, but their early losses were a distant memory by the close. Notably, the discretionary sector advanced with homebuilders and retailers overshadowing losses in travel booking names like Expedia (EXPE 122.53, -2.67) and Priceline (PCLN 1266.87, -30.88). The pair lost 2.1% and 2.4%, respectively, following weekend terrorist attacks in Paris.

Staying in the discretionary sector, Urban Outfitters (URBN 22.67, -1.82) lost 7.4% ahead of its quarterly report with today's decline following eyebrow-raising news that the company acquired The Vetri Family group of restaurants. In other M&A news of note, Starwood Hotels (HOT 72.27, -2.72) agreed to be acquired by Marriott (MAR 73.72, +0.98) for $72.08/share.

Treasuries held gains during overnight action, but they returned to unchanged by the close with the 10-yr yield ending at 2.27%.

Investor participation was essentially in line with average as more than 830 million shares changed hands at the NYSE floor.

Today's economic data was limited to the Empire Manufacturing Survey for November, which registered a reading of -10.7. That was above the prior month's reading of -11.4, but below the Briefing.com consensus estimate, which was pegged at -6.0.

Tomorrow, October CPI (Briefing.com consensus 0.2%) will be reported at 8:30 ET, October Industrial Production (expected 0.1%) will be announced at 9:15 ET, and the November NAHB Housing Market Index (consensus 64.5) will be released at 10:00 ET.

Nasdaq Composite +5.3% YTD
S&P 500 -0.3% YTD
Dow Jones Industrial Average -1.9% YTD
Russell 2000 -3.8% YTD

DJ30 +237.77 NASDAQ +56.73 SP500 +30.15 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1824/1.65 bln/1106 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 2223/840.9 mln/821

3:45 pm :

Oil prices show a strong reversal, back above $42/barrel
WTI crude oil futures were sliding lower this morning, but after failing to break below the $40/barrel level, Dec crude reversed and ended the day +2.5% at $41.70/barrel
Dec nat gas posted some gains as well, closing +1.3% at $2.39/MMBtu
Precious metals post modest gains despite the strength seen in the dollar index
Dec gold gained +0.3% to $1083.70/oz, while Dec silver +0.3% at $14.23/oz
Copper dropped -2% today to close at $2.12/lb (Dec)

4:09 pm Agilent beats by $0.03, reports revs in-line; guides Q1, FY16 EPS and rev below consensus (A) :

Reports Q4 (Oct) earnings of $0.50 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the Capital IQ Consensus of $0.47; revenues fell 0.8% year/year to $1.03 bln vs the $1.04 bln Capital IQ Consensus; core rev +6%.
Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.42-0.44, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.46 Capital IQ Consensus; sees Q1 revs of $1.0-1.02 bln vs. $1.04 bln Capital IQ Consensus Estimate.
Co issues downside guidance for FY16, sees EPS of $1.85-1.91, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.97 Capital IQ Consensus; sees FY16 revs of $4.15-4.17 bln vs. $4.2 bln Capital IQ Consensus Estimate.

12:21 pm Stocks/ETFs that traded to new 52 week highs/lows this session - New lows (296) outpacing new highs (30) (SCANX) : Stocks that traded to 52 week highs: BCOM, CACB, CCRN, CID, CWST, EDUC, EFUT, FNWB, GAME, IBCP, INST, ISTR, JBT, LBAI, MCI, MLVF, MMAC, MPV, NAII, OME, PBY, RTN, SPKE, SVT, TAP, TGS, TMP, TTI, VII, VRSN

Stocks that traded to 52 week lows: AAMC, AAN, ABG, ABUS, ACSF, ACTA, ACTG, ADK, ADM, AEG, AHPI, AI, AMAG, AMCO, AMFW, ARC, ARCB, ARDC, ARGS, ASNA, ASUR, ATI, AVNW, AWH, AXP, AZUR, BBBY, BBL, BBRG, BBW, BDR, BEBE, BGX, BITE, BKE, BONT, BOOT, BWLD, CAKE, CAL, CAR, CBL, CDI, CDRB, CGI, CGIX, CHCI, CHK, CHS, CIDM, CIZ, CLH, CLRB, CLUB, CLVS, CMG, CMO, CNHI, COMT, COSI, CPST, CPT, CRD.A, CRDC, CREG, CSF, CVGI, CVM, CXW, CYD, CYRX, DAN, DAR, DAVE, DB, DCO, DDS, DEST, DG, DIN, DKS, DSCO, DXYN, EAT, ECPG, EFF, EGLE, EMITF, ENRJ, ENSV, ENT, ENVA, EQBK, ESEA, EVDY, EVER, EVRI, FCFS, FINL, FIVE, FLWS, FOSL, FTGC, FTSL, FUEL, GASS, GCO, GDP, GEO, GFI, GILT, GLBS, GLP, GLPI, GLRE, GMCR, GMO, GMZ, GOGL, GPS, GRPN, GSI, GSM, GYRO, HAIN, HELI, HERO, HIBB, HIFR, HLIT, HMLP, HNI, HSNI, HY, HZN, IILG, INFI, IPHS, ITEQ, JGW, JMEI, KBIO, KMX, KTCC, LENS, LEU, LLEX, LOB, LUK, LULU, LXFR, M, MARA, MCRN, MDLY, MDVX, MEMP, MESO, MIFI, MIL, MITT, MRNS, MSB, MSLI, MT, MTRN, MW, MXPT, NATR, NC, NES, NFEC, NMBL, NRE, NRT, NSL, NSPH, NSPR, NTCT, NTIC, NVTA, NWY, OEC, OI, ONCS, ONTX, OPGN, ORN, ORPN, OSTK, OZM, PBYI, PDBC, PDVW, PEIX, PERF, PERY, PFMT, PICO, PII, PIR, PLCE, POPE, PRGN, PSCD, PSG, PSO, PSTI, PW, PXLW, QBAK, QCCO, QTWW, R, RACE, RAS, RBCN, RBS, RCII, RESI, REV, RMGN, RNET, ROSG, ROYT, RPRX, RTIX, RUSHA, SATS, SAVE, SBRA, SBY, SC, SGM, SGMS, SIEN, SKUL, SLM, SMM, SMRT, SNMX, SNR, SNTA, SNY, SPXC, SRET, SRG, SSI, SSYS, STML, STWD, SVVC, SXC, TAS, TAT, TERP, TEU, TGA, THST, TLYS, TNGO, TOR, TPLM, TRC, TTGT, TU, TWER, TWIN, UAE, URBN, URG, UUUU, VAC, VALE, VCEL, VFC, VGGL, VIPS, VMEM, VOXX, VVR, WAIR, WGBS, WIFI, WILC, WILN, WING, WIW, WLB, WMLP, WPG, WRK, WSM, WWW, XHR, ZAYO

ETFs that traded to 52 week highs: none

ETFs that traded to 52 week lows: AFK, BNO, DBB, DBC, DJP, EPOL, GSG, JJC, PPLT, UGA, UHN

Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) announced that the Texas Advanced Computing Center has selected Mellanox's end-to-end 100Gbs EDR interconnect solutions to develop EDR high-performance computing cluster. Co also announced that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has selected Mellanox's end-to-end InfiniBand solution to connect its next-generation petaflop-capable supercomputer.

8:03 am PMC-Sierra determines that the Microsemi (MSCC) proposal is not superior to the existing agreement with Skyworks Solutions (SWKS) (PMCS) :

7:31 am Vishay Precision announces restructuring and cost reduction actions, expected to lower operating costs by ~$6 mln in 2016; co to take a $4 mln charge in 4Q15 (VPG) :

Co announced restructuring and cost reduction actions that are expected to improve overall efficiency by lower operating costs by $6 million annually, beginning in 2016. The cost reductions are expected to come from lower manufacturing costs, including savings from a force sensor facility closure in Asia in the second quarter of 2016, with continued production consolidation into VPG's facility in India.

Co stated:"We have begun implementing our restructuring and cost reduction plan, which should result in a cash restructuring charge of $4 million which will impact, primarily, the fourth fiscal quarter of 2015."

3:45 am Xilinx and IBM collaborate to develop open acceleration infrastructure, software and middleware to address emerging data center workloads (XLNX) :

IBM (IBM), and Xilinx (XLNX) announced a multi-year strategic collaboration to enable higher performance and energy-efficient data center applications through Xilinx FPGA-enabled workload acceleration on IBM POWER-based systems.

IBM and Xilinx, through a private signed agreement and collaboration through the OpenPOWER Foundation, are teaming to develop open acceleration infrastructures, software and middleware to address emerging applications such as machine learning, network functions virtualization, genomics, high performance computing and big data analytics.