November 20, 2014: Markets opened lower on Thursday following PMI reports from China, Japan and the eurozone that were disappointing. A 13-month high in existing home sales and a huge jump in the Philadelphia Fed survey boosted stocks in mid-morning. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.14% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.16%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.50%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily gain ahead of the close Thursday was Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) which traded higher by 4.69% at $35.96, after posting a new 52-week high of $35.97. The stock’s new 52-week range is $23.40 to $35.97. Volume was about 50% above the daily average of around 30 million shares. The company raised its dividend and presented an upbeat outlook at its investor day.

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) traded up 0.90% at $26.83. The stock’s 52-week range is $20.22 to $26.84, after setting a new 52-week high on Thursday. Volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 27million shares. The company had no specific news today, but Intel’s rising tide lifted tech stock boats today.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) traded higher by 0.82% at $48.62. The stock’s 52-week range is $34.63 to $50.05. Volume was about 50% below the daily average of around 34 million shares. The other half of the Wintel grouping also rode Intel’s rising tide today.

The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) traded up 0.86% at $97.53. The stock’s 52-week range is $73.96 to $99.36. Trading volume was 30% lower than the daily average of around 6.6 million shares. The company heard some encouraging words from Wells Capital on today’s edition of The Street.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 13 are set to close lower today and 17 are on track to close higher.

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