January 21, 2015: Markets opened lower on Wednesday but quickly turned higher as energy stocks posted some good gains on stronger prices for crude oil. Markets continue to be jittery ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the European Central Bank. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.27% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.52%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.27%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily gain ahead of the close Wednesday was UnitedHealth Group Inc.) which traded higher by 3.29% at $109.09. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.57 to $109.10, and the high was posted today. Trading volume was about double  the daily average of around 3.8 million shares. The company posted solid earnings early this morning..

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) traded up 1.55% at $108.13. The stock’s 52-week range is $100.15 to $135.10. Trading volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 4 million shares. The company signed an LNG contract with a South Korean trading house today.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded up 1.48% at $85.21. The stock’s 52-week range is $83.05 to $111.46. Trading volume was about equal to the daily average of around 5.3 million shares. The heavy equipment maker had no specific news today.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) traded up 1.18% at $36.51. The stock’s 52-week range is $23.50 to $37.90. Trading volume is about 15% below the daily average of around 30 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 18 are set to close higher today and 12 are on track to close lower.

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