International stocks trading in New York closed higher on
Monday. The BNY Mellon index of American depositary receipts rose
0.52% to 144.18. The European index increased 0.40% to 142.30, the
Asian index improved 0.59% to 152.29, the Latin American index rose
1.42% to 206.76 and the emerging markets index increased 1.24% to
257.26. Among the companies with shares that actively traded was
Carnival PLC (CUK, CCL.LN).
Numis upgraded Carnival PLC to add from hold and lifted its
target price, saying the cruise ship company's recent quarterly
results were better than expected and provided "clear evidence of
improving industry fundamentals." Numis added Carnival's management
is developing a track record of underpromising and overdelivering.
Carnival shares rose 1.3% to $48.73.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA) has signed a digital music
distribution deal in China with BMG, the music division of
Germany-based Bertelsmann, as the e-commerce giant and its Chinese
rivals race to beef up their online entertainment offerings.
Alibaba shares fell 68 cents to $83.90.
Novartis AG (NVS, NOVN.VX) reached a collaboration deal with
Aduro Biotech that moves the Swiss pharmaceutical giant further
into the growing field of cancer immunotherapy. Basel-based
Novartis said the deal includes a $200 million upfront payment to
Aduro, taking a $25 million stake in the California-based company
and committing to a further $25 million equity investment. Novartis
shares rose 91 cents to $101.31.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA, TEVA.TV) agreed to
acquire Auspex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ASPX) in a deal valued at
roughly $3.2 billion, increasing the Israel-based drug maker's
presence in the market for treatments for central nervous system
disorders. Teva's shares rose 54 cents to $62.52.
Write to Tess Stynes at tess.stynes@wsj.com
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