U.S. stocks opened higher on Wednesday after strong results from Dell and a burst of merger and acquisition activity.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 18.77 points, or 0.15 percent, at 12,245.41. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 4.10 points, or 0.31 percent, at 1,332.11. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 10.55 points, or 0.38 percent, at 2,814.90.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica)