March 4, 2015: Markets opened lower on Wednesday following a somewhat disappointing ADP employment report for February even though January’s estimate was revised sharply up. Crude oil inventories grew by 10 million barrels causing prices to fall below $50 a barrel before reversing direction to rise to more than $51. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded down 0.57% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.44%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.25%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Wednesday was Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded down 1.45% at $81.64. The stock’s 52-week range is $78.81 to $111.46. Trading volume was about 10% below the daily average of around 6.6 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) which traded down 1.4% at $80.76. The stock’s 52-week range is $77.12 to $96.24. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 7 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) traded down 1.03% at $49.04. The stock’s 52-week range is $45.09 to $53.66. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 18.5 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) traded lower by 0.94% at $84.35. The stock’s 52-week range is $77.29 to $93.89. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 7.6 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 24 are set to close lower today and 6 are on track to close higher.

ALSO READ: The Best (and Worst) States for Business

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