Dow Adds 90; Madoff Gets 150

Elsewhere, investors had a smattering of deals to consider. Among them, Microsoft (MSFT Quote) is reportedly looking to free itself of Internet ad agency Razorfish, the Financial Times reports. The software company has hired Morgan Stanley (MS Quote) to help it find a buyer, which may be French marketing company Publicis Groupe, according to the report. Microsoft was among the better performers on the Dow, gaining 2.2% to $23.86.

Meanwhile, Vodafone (VOD Quote), the world's largest mobile operator by revenue, is reportedly considering an offer to buy T-mobile UK or at least to set up a joint venture, according to the Financial Times . Vodafone shares were 1.1% higher to $19.52.

In other deal news, management consulting firms Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby and Watson Wyatt Worldwide (WW Quote) will merge in a deal valued at about $3.5 billion, creating Towers Watson & Co. The combined company is expected to produce revenue of more than $3 billion, and will have a presence in more than two dozen countries. Wyatt Worldwide shares fell 7.7% to $38.

Also Swiss drug maker Novartis (NVS Quote) is in talks to buy certain operations from biotechnology company Elan (ELN Quote), including its multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri and Alzheimer's disease pipeline, according to a report in London's Sunday Times. Novartis shares were down 0.4% at $41.17, while Elan sank 5.6% to $6.95.

The Financial Times reported that Paris-based Sanofi Aventis (SNY Quote) is also preparing to buy more generic drug companies. Separately, the company defended its insulin product Lantus, noting that clinical trials have not shown any association with cancer. Shares rose 5.3% to $29.48.

Stocks overseas were mostly mixed. In Europe, London's FTSE 100 and the Dax in Frankfurt were rising 1.2% and 2.3%, respectively. In Asia, the Nikkei in Japan shed 1%, and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong closed 0.4% lower.

Longer-dated Treasuries were rising. The 10-year was gaining 16/32 to yield 3.48%, while the 30-year added 26/32, yielding 4.28%.