May 5, 2014: Markets opened lower on Monday but gamely pushed to the upside in midafternoon. General concern over the situation in Ukraine and a weaker outlook on global growth prospects kept markets in check today. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.02%, the S&P 500 was up 0.16%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.28%.
Propping up the DJIA was its most heavily weighted stock, Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) which traded up 1.47% at $207.35. The stock’s 52-week range is $170.99 to $235.50. Share volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 3.6 million shares traded. Investors seem to shrug off concerns about impact of Russian sanctions though Visa and MasterCard are themselves are clearly worried.
Another Dow 30 stock that posted a solid gain today is The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) which traded up 1.67% at $132.11 in a 52-week range of $92.67 to $144.57. Volume was about 25% lower than the daily average of around 4.8 million shares. The company said it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Nave for 47 more fighter jets and electronic attack planes and is “very close” to signing a contract.
And while Boeing and Visa were propping up the DJIA, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) was weighing the index down. Shares traded at $29.97 today, posting a drop of 2.54%. The stock’s 52-week range is $27.12 to $32.96. Share volume was about 40% higher than the daily average of around 29.5 million shares traded. Pfizer reported lackluster earnings this morning.
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The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) traded up 1.11% today at $81.21 in a 52-week range of $60.41 to $83.65. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of more than 7 million shares. The company reports first-quarter results tomorrow. The shares are up in advance, banking on a boost from the news on the next “Star Wars” film.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 15 looked to close higher today while 15 were on their way to a lower finish.
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