Fifty-nine U.S. senators, led by John Kerry and Orrin Hatch, have urged European antitrust regulators to conclude their investigation of the Oracle and Sun Microsystems merger and justify any further delay in making a decision on the deal.

European Union regulators have extended their review of plans by U.S. software firm Oracle to buy Sun Microsystems for $7 billion, giving Oracle more time to tackle concerns the deal may be anti-competitive.

The Dow eked out a gain Tuesday in light, choppy trading following Monday's rally.  Health-care, utilities and materials were the best-performing sectors.

Stocks opened slightly lower Tuesday as investors took a breather after Monday's rally — but it was a short-lived breather with stocks bouncing back within the first hour of trading.

Futures indicated a slightly lower open for the U.S. stock market on Tuesday amongst mixed reports from corporates on earnings, outlook and employment and ahead of the Veterans Day.

The European Commission has objected to Oracle Corp's acquisition of computer maker Sun Microsystems, throwing the $7 billion deal into question.

The European Commission has objected to Oracle Corp's acquisition of computer maker Sun Microsystems Inc., throwing the $7 billion deal into question.

The European Commission is close to issuing a formal objection to Oracle’s acquisition of Sun Microsystems, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

Orders to U.S. factories rebounded in September, helped by strength in autos, heavy machinery and military aircraft.

The President’s Economic Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on job innovation today, and Charles Phillips, president of Oracle and a member of the board shared a preview with CNBC's "Squawk Box' team on Monday.

Hopes for the fledgling economic recovery got a boost Monday from better-than-expected news on manufacturing, construction and contracts to buy homes.

A private forecast of economic activity rose for the sixth straight month in September, a sign the economy will keep growing next year.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, after falling in five of the past six weeks.

Stocks finished lower after well-known banking analyst Dick Bove downgraded his rating on Wells Fargo.

Stocks advanced Wednesday as investors were encouraged by a few earnings reports, including Morgan Stanley, Yahoo and SanDisk. The VIX, widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, dropped to just above 20.