June 4, 2014: Markets opened lower on Wednesday as reported economic data did not live up to expectations. ADP’s may employment total was light, European PMI numbers came in short, and the U.S. trade deficit was larger than expected. Trading was moderate once again today, and without a show of strength in consumer discretionary stocks the day’s trading results could have been worse. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.08% for the day, the S&P 500 was up 0.19%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.42%.

The Traveler’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: TRV) was today’s big gainer among the Dow 30. The insurance company’s stock traded at $94.70, up 1.38% in a 52-week range of $77.38 to $94.75, and the high was posted this afternoon. Share volume was about 30% lower than the daily average of nearly 2.3 million shares traded. Traveler’s got a shout out from Jim Cramer this morning and that never hurts a stock’s price even though the volume was light.

Dupont, or more precisely, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (NYSE: DD) traded higher by 0.61% at $69.29 in a 52-week range of $52.02 to $69.64, another new 52-week high posted today. The company announced the sale of its surface care business this morning to Laticrete. The business includes products to protect and preserve stone and tile countertops, floors, and walls. Not terms were announced. Volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 3.6 million shares traded.

Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) posted a rise of 0.85% today, countering its drop of about 1% yesterday, and traded at $76.19 in a 52-week range of $59.11 to $80.26. Volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 3.6 million shares. The athletic gear maker had not news today, but some investors obviously saw a buying opportunity following yesterday’s fall..

Analysts at UBS said this week that the restaurant industry looks ready to post growth and one of the better stocks in line for growth is McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD). Mickey D’s shares rose 0.8% to $102.32 in a 52-week range is $92.22 to $103.78. Volume was about 60% below the daily average of 5 million shares traded.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 13 looked to close higher today while 17 were on their way to a lower finish.

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