November 17, 2014: Markets opened lower on Monday following the announcements of two blockbuster mergers, one in the oil patch and the other in the drug business. Crude oil drifted down again today and tech stocks and financials also traded lower. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.09% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.06%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.40%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily gain ahead of the close today was UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) which traded up 1.41% at $96.46. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.57 to $96.74. Volume was about 30% below daily average of around 3.8 million shares. The company has expanded its offerings under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and is expected to pick up more insurance business this year.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) traded higher by 0.68% at $83.53. The stock’s 52-week range is $72.27 to $83.72, and the high was posted today. Volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 6.8 million shares. The company benefits from rising hopes for the holiday season, but there was no specific news today.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) traded higher by 0.85% at $34.24. The stock’s 52-week range is $23.40 to $35.56. Volume was less than half the daily average of around 31 million shares. The chipmaker said today that its new smart bracelets would retail for $495, which includes 2 years of wireless service from AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T).

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) traded up 0.63% at $26.49. The stock’s 52-week range is $20.22 to $26.55, and the high was posted today. Trading volume was about equal to the daily average of around 27 million shares. The company had no specific news today

Of the Dow 30 stocks 14 are set to close lower today and 16 are on track to close higher.

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