Precision Castparts soared 19 percent Monday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway said it would buy the maker of industrial components for $32 billion.
Stocks rose in China after weak trade figures led investors to hope for new economic stimulus measures from the Chinese government.
The Dow gained 155 points, or 0.9 percent, to 17,527 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time.
