11:53 AM EDT, 08/16/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The three major US stock indexes were mixed late Friday morning after rallying this week.

In company news, Bryant Riley, co-founder, chairman and co-chief executive officer of B. Riley Financial ( RILY ) offered to acquire the rest of the company for $7 a share, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Riley is currently the largest shareholder. Shares of B. Riley rose 17% around midday.

Ford Motor ( F ) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is recalling Explorer SUVs equipped with the police interceptor utility package over fire concerns related to engine failure, the regulator said. The recall affects 85,238 Explorers with model years 2020-2022. Ford shares fell 0.5%.

BHP Group ( BHP ) and the leaders of a Chilean mining union reached a preliminary agreement on wages, potentially setting the stage for a return to work at Escondida, the world's biggest copper mine, Bloomberg reported. BHP shares rose 0.3%.

Eli Lilly ( LLY ) completed its $3.2 billion acquisition of Morphic Holding (MORF). Eli Lilly ( LLY ) acquired Morphic, a biopharmaceutical company developing oral integrin therapies for treatment of serious chronic diseases, for $57 a share in cash. Eli Lilly ( LLY ) shares dropped 0.4%.

Rivian Automotive ( RIVN ) paused the production of electric commercial vans for Amazon.com ( AMZN ) due to parts shortages, Bloomberg reported, citing the electric vehicle producer. Shares of Rivian slumped 3.3%, and Amazon ( AMZN ) rose 0.2%.

Deere & Company ( DE ) reduced its hourly workforce by 15% since November as the farm equipment manufacturer attempts to navigate a slowing economy, The Wall Street Journal reported. Shares of Deere rose 1.4%.

Price: 5.90, Change: +0.86, Percent Change: +17.06