Merger Monday. Electronic Arts (EA) is up 4% after agreeing to be taken private for $55 billion from a consortium of investors.  The group of investors includes technology investment firm Silver Lake, Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the country’s sovereign wealth fund. EA shareholders will receive $210 a share in cash, which represents a 25% premium to Thursday’s closing price of $168.32. After a tough start to the  year on weak demand for soccer related titles, EA has performed much better the last six months.

Profit-taking on Carnival Corp (CCL) following better than expected earnings. One of the largest cruise ship operators is down 3% after beating earnings estimates as sales rose 3% to $8.15 billion. The company raised fourth quarter and full year guidance after reporting record net income with demand and booking volumes far outpacing capacity growth. Carnival’s stock is up 75% in the last six months.

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