US markets today: Wall Street inches higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq hover near record highs; merger buzz, earnings and rate cut hopes in focus

Wall Street saw slight gains Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq near record highs, potentially marking a third winning week. Investor optimism was driven by strong earnings, falling Treasury yields, and speculation about a Federal Reserve rate cut. Merger talks and acquisitions also influenced market movements, while mixed global market performance added complexity.

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