In corporate news, Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS ) rose 5.7% after increasing its offer for eye-care specialist Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL ). In economic news, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November rose 0.1% versus 1.1% a year ago, and confirmed the Fed's view that inflation is not currently a problem. The Dow started off higher yesterday and held its gains until lunchtime when the European markets closed lower with the euro taking a real beating and the dollar again soaring.