Drug giant Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) led the DJIA gainers today, up 2.56% for the day following a fourth-quarter report that came in better than expected. Guidance for 2014 reflected a negative impact of $3 billion due to patent and other exclusivity losses and an expected $5 billion in share buybacks. Shares of Pfizer closed at $30.42 in a 52-week range of $26.79 to $32.50. Volume was about 35% above the daily average of around 24 million shares.
Another DJIA stock boosting the index today was Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), up 2.19% to close at $220.96 in a 52-week range of $154.14 to $235.50. Shares of Visa and other credit card companies got a boost from the rise in consumer confidence. Visa, the most heavily weighted of the Dow 30 stocks, reports fourth quarter results on Thursday. Tuesday volume was roughly 25% above the daily average of about 3 million shares.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) fell 7.99% today to close at $506.50 in a 52-week range of $385.10 to $575.14. Apple’s sales of its iPhone fell short in the fourth quarter and investors couldn’t wait to unload the shares. Carl Icahn bought the dip, however, adding $500 million to his existing stake in the company. Volume was nearly triple the daily average of around 11.6 million shares traded.
General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) added 1.56% to close at $25.46 in a 52-week range of $21.11 to $28.09. GE had no big news today, although CEO Jeff Immelt bought 40,000 shares on Monday at an average price of $25.04 per share. Volume was about 32% higher than the daily average of around 32 million shares traded.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 24 closed higher today while just 6 closed lower.
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