U.S. stocks open slightly higher amid oil's surge, weak economic data

U.S. stocks opened slightly higher Monday as investors weighed weak economic data from China against a renewed push higher for oil prices . A steep drop in a reading of New York-area business conditions also weighed on sentiment, while the market got a boost from a flurry of mergers and acquisitions, most notably Pfizer Inc.'s proposed purchase of Anacor Pharmaceuticals . The S&P 500 was up 2 points, or 0.1%, to 2,047. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 10 points, or 0.1%, to 17,547 at the open. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite began the session down 12 points, or 0.3%, at 4,730.

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