U.S. Stocks Rise on Genzyme Takeover Speculation, GE’s Dividend

U.S. stocks rose, almost wiping out the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s 2010 loss, after speculation that Genzyme Corp. may be bought spurred optimism that a rebound in acquisitions is accelerating and General Electric Co. boosted its dividend.

Genzyme jumped 15 percent, the most since 2000, as two people with knowledge of the matter said Sanofi-Aventis SA approached the drugmaker about taking it over. GE advanced 3.3 percent. Ford Motor Co. rose 5.2 percent after reporting its most profitable first half in more than a decade as buyers pay more for new models. Verizon Communications Inc. rallied 3.8 percent after new phones spurred growth in subscribers.