December 19, 2014: Markets opened higher on Friday, a quadruple witching day that saw very high trading volume. The energy and basic materials sectors led the markets higher as crude oil for February delivery rose more than 6%. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.29% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.58%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.47%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily gain ahead of the close Friday was Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) which traded up 3.10% at $112.41. The stock’s 52-week range is $100.15 to $135.10. Trading volume about 25% above the daily average of around 8.5 million shares. There was no specific news today for the company, but the jump in crude prices lifted all energy boats today.

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (NYSE: DD) traded up 1.84% at $73.56. The stock’s 52-week range is $59.35 to $73.79, and the high was posted today. Trading volume was about equal to the daily average of around 4.9 million shares. The company’s CEO gave an upbeat interview to Fortune today and the USDA reported that China had accepted the import of genetically modified soybeans made by DuPont and Bayer CropScience.

General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) traded up 1.77% at $25.59. The stock’s 52-week range is $23.69 to $28.09. Trading volume about 75% above the daily average of around 34 million shares. Shareholders of Alstom voted to approve GE’s acquisition of most of the French firm’s power equipment business.

The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) traded higher by 1.15% at $101.82. The stock’s 52-week range is $73.96 to $102.00, and the high was posted today. Volume was about 30% above the daily average of around 6 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

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

ALSO READ: Is $40 Oil Coming?

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.