The major averages finished mixed Monday as uncertainty heading into a two-day FOMC meeting prevented investors from more convincingly embracing merger activity and plunging oil prices. Tyson Foods (TSN) rose 3.48% after the company’s fiscal first quarter profits rose on increased chicken sales and lower costs. Merrill Lynch & Co. (MER) agreed to purchase First Republic Bank (FRC) for about $1.8 billion in cash and stock. FRC rose 40.03% and MER fell 2.26%. For the day, the Dow and NASDAQ advanced 0.03% and 0.23% respectively.

Strong economic data and solid earnings boosted the broader market despite rising oil prices. In economic news, January’s Consumer Confidence report came in above expectations at 110.3. In corporate news, shares of CNET Networks (CNET), UnumProvident (UNM), and Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL) all rose on better-than-expected earnings reports. Conversely, 3M (MMM) and Merck & Co. (MRK) slid on weaker-than-expected earnings. The Dow rose 0.26% and the NASDAQ was up 0.31%.

The Federal Reserve suggested that core inflation is moderating and decided to keep interest rates unchanged Wednesday, sending stocks higher with the Dow touching a record high. In economic news, fourth quarter GDP came in at 3.5% while Personal Consumption was reported at 4.4%. In corporate news, Boeing (BA), Altria Group (MO), and Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) all rose on higher-than-expected earnings while Google Inc. (GOOG) fell despite fourth quarter profits nearly tripling. The Dow rose 0.78% and the NASDAQ was up 0.62%.

Stocks finished into positive territory again on Thursday with another round of solid earnings. In economic news, personal spending added 0.7% and personal income rose 0.5% in December. Initial jobless claims for last week were 307,000, below the estimated 315,000. In corporate news, shares of Gilead Sciences (GILD), Anheuser-Busch Cos. (BUD), and Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) all rose on better-than-expected earnings. Dell (DELL) fell after the company issued guidance on weaker-than-expected fourth quarter earnings. The Dow finished the day up 0.41% while the NASDAQ rose 0.18%.

The last trading day of the week finished mixed on economic data and higher oil prices. U.S. consumer confidence rose to 96.9 in January, above the December reading of 91.7 but below estimates of 98.0. Shares of Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS) rose after posting reduced quarterly profits that beat analyst expectations. The Dow dropped 0.16% while the NASDAQ gained 0.30%.

The big event this week was the Fed’s announcement on Wednesday. Though the comments were essentially bearish with the implication that the next move would be higher rates, the market gave it a positive spin with more recognition that economic growth is picking up. Oil prices drove upward to $59.02 a barrel from $55.42 last week. This negative news was also given a positive spin as the higher oil prices helped energy stocks provide leadership for the entire market. Corporate earnings, though showing signs of slowing relative to prior quarters, appear to be headed toward an 11% gain for the fourth quarter. For the week: The Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 gained 1.34%, 1.66%, and 1.84% respectively.