Author: Elena Todorova
123jump.com
Last Update: 10:08 AM EST November 01 2006

Better-than-expected earnings from MasterCard and an upbeat forecast for private-sector employment in October pushed stock higher at opening. MasterCard reported 82% profit jump in Q3 to $1.42 a share from 79 cents last year, due to an improved revenue and a higher number of purchases worldwide. Deal talks about a combination of pharmacy benefits manager Caremark Rx and drugstore chain CVS Corp. also contributed to the upside move.