September 24, 2014: Markets opened slightly higher on Wednesday following a strong report on new home sales. Whereas most sectors closed in the red yesterday, all are headed for a positive close today. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.91% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.78%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 1.00%.

The Dow 30 stock posting the largest percentage gain today was E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (NYSE: DD) which traded up 2.52% at $72.83 in a 52-week range of $56.46 to $72.92, a new high set today. Trading volume was about 30% above the daily average of around 5.3 million shares. DuPont is one of our 10 best DJIA performers so far this year.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) traded up 1.96% at $77.08 in a 52-week range of $71.51 to $81.37. Volume was about equal to the daily average of nearly 6 million shares. Walmart said today that it would begin offering a checking account service next month that did not charge overdraft fees.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded up 1.85% at $88.19. The stock’s 52-week range is $66.72 to $88.85. UnitedHealth was among the Dow’s leading losers yesterday, so today’s uptick is likely some shrewd buying. Trading volume was about 50% below the daily average of around 3.6 million shares.

The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) traded higher today by 1.67% at $93.03. The stock’s 52-week range is $73.74 to $93.75. Volume was about 25% lower than the daily average of around 6.7 million shares. Positive economic news on housing always gives Home Depot’s shares a little shine.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 27 stocks are set to close higher today, and just 3 are on track to close lower.

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