The nation's economy expanded at a greater than expected pace in the third quarter but fiscal cliff concern weighed the markets down to a lower open with the Dow slipping 5 points to 13,246. Nasdaq lost 6 points to 3038. On the upside
IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE: ICE) will pay approximately $8.2 billion to acquire rival NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX). Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) swung to its first profit in more than five years and lifted its earnings outlook for fiscal 2013. A Swiss newspaper reported that Roche may have offered to acquire Illumina (Nasdaq: ILMN) at a premium of approximately $8.1 billion. On the downside Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Nasdaq: MDRX) replaced chief executive Glen Tullman with board member Paul Black and ended efforts to explore strategic alternatives.Amicus Therapeutics (Nasdaq: FOLD) reported that its Fabry disease treatment migalastat HCI failed a late stage clinical trial. Bed Bath & Beyond (Nasdaq: BBBY) reported higher third quarter earnings and revenue but the company forecast current quarter and full year earnings below expectations. In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of 5 to 3 on the NYSE decliners barely edged out advancers by a slim margin on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index edged up a fraction to 1436.