NEW YORK (AP) -- Hewlett-Packard Co.'s purchase of Bristol Technology Inc. helped lift the Dow Jones Industrial Average Monday.
The Dow rose 8.25 to end at 12,661.74.

HP shares added 74 cents, or 2 percent, to close at $42.81 on the NYSE. The computer and printer maker earlier in the day said it will buy business technology maker Bristol Technology Inc. for an undisclosed sum.
 
International Business Machines Corp. also ended higher after inking a five-year contact with Sparkassen Informatik for about $700 million.

Shares rose $1.21 to end at $100.38.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. added 44 cents to end at $48.52 on the New York Stock Exchange. The world's largest retailer on Saturday said January same-store sales rose 2.2 percent, over an internal goal.

On the losing side, Microsoft Corp. lost 58 cents, or 2 percent, to end at $29.61. Earlier Monday, a judge expected to rule on Microsoft's appeal against the European Commission's antitrust order said he intended to publish his decision before his departure in September.

Heavy-equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. fell 76 cents to $64.49 on the NYSE, while telecommunications company AT&T Inc. shed 33 cents to $37.79, also on the Big Board.