Stocks edge higher as traders are cautious ahead of election

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are slightly higher in midday trading on Monday, helped by positive economic data and investors reacting positively to a series of big mergers announced over the weekend.
Traders also continue to watch the day-to-day developments of the U.S. presidential election, which is slightly more than a week away.
KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average rose 19 points, or 0.1 percent, to 18,180 as of 12:05 p.m. Eastern. The Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 6 points