December 17, 2014: Markets opened higher on Wednesday as traders anticipated the FOMC meeting announcement scheduled for the afternoon. The tea leaf regarding how long the Fed would retain its existing funds rate was unchanged and that boosted equities to daily highs briefly before they pulled back. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 1.81% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 2.18%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 2.29%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily gain ahead of the close Tuesday was Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) which traded up 4.22% at $105.99. The stock’s 52-week range is $100.15 to $135.10. Trading volume about 25% above the daily average of around 8 million shares. There was no specific news today for the company, but crude prices were up about 1% today.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded up 3.67% at $99.37. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.57 to $101.33. Trading volume was about 20% above the daily average of around 8 million shares. A new report today said that insurance companies gained 9.3 million subscribers thanks to Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion.

McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) traded up 3.22% at $91.58. The stock’s 52-week range is $87.62 to $103.78. Trading volume about double the daily average of around 6 million shares. The company’s share price gain today may be due to comments by activist investor Bill Ackman that the company could be managed better.

The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) traded higher by 2.75% at $41.50. The stock’s 52-week range is $36.89 to $45.00. Volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 18 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

All 30 DJIA stocks are on track to finish higher Wednesdday.

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