July 29, 2014: Markets opened higher on Wednesday after a very solid first estimate on second quarter GDP and some strong earnings reports. The FOMC announcement continued the tapering but had nothing to say about when interest rates would be raised. Shortly before closing today the DJIA traded down 0.18% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.06%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.50%.

The stock posting the biggest percentage drop today was The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) which traded down 1.66% at $39.68 today in a 52-week range of $36.83 to $42.57. Volume was about 35% above the daily average of around 12 million shares traded. There was no news on the company today, but partner SodaSteam reported solid earnings leading to speculation of a buyout of the smaller company, by you-know-who.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded down 1.50% at $83.01. The stock’s 52-week range is $66.72 to $87.24. Share volume was about 60% above the daily average of around 3.7 million shares traded. There was no specific news on the company today.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded down 1.19% at $103.44 in a 52-week range of $81.46 to $111.46. Volume was about 25% above the daily average of around 3.6 million shares. The stock got an upgrade this morning, but investors are still wary of prospects going forward.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (NYSE: DD) traded lower by 1.17% at $65.42. The stock’s 52-week range is $56.09 to $69.75. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 3.8 million shares traded. The company had no major news today.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 19 are set to close lower today and 11 are poised to close higher.

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