Stocks surged higher today as another round of corporate takeovers prodded investors to continue a largely uninterrupted months-long buying streak.

Wall Street ended a listless session with stocks nearly flat today as rising oil prices and inflation fears – and a dose of indecision – kept most investors on the sidelines.

A late-day sellof in technology issues ahead of Hewlett-Packar’s earnings led Wall Street lower today, wiping out an advance attributed to solid earnings and economics news.