January 8, 2015: Markets opened higher on Thursday following Wednesday comments from Charles Evans of the Chicago Fed that raising the policy rate too soon would be a “catastrophe.” European markets traded up on the day while Asian markets were mixed. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 1.65% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 1.64%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 1.72%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily gain ahead of the close Thursday was UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) which traded higher by 4.72% at $104.64. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.57 to $104.87, and the high was posted today. Trading volume was about 10% below the daily average of around 4 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD) traded up 2.90% at $74.41. The stock’s 52-week range is $59.35 to $75.82. Trading volume is about 20% below the daily average of around 4.5 million shares. DuPont continues to catch a bid even though the analysts consensus price target is just $71.00.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) traded up 2.80% at $47.52. The stock’s 52-week range is $34.63 to $50.05. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 32 million shares. The company got some help today from an announced delay in shipments of the PlayStation 4 into China, where Microsoft’s Xbox One has been available since September.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) traded up 2.52% at $60.56. The stock’s 52-week range is $52.97 to $63.49. Trading volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 15 million shares. The country’s biggest bank had no specific news today.

All 30 DJIA stocks are on track to finish higher for the day.

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