March 5, 2015: Markets opened higher on Thursday following a higher-than-expected number of new claims for unemployment benefits combined with lower-than-expected productivity and lower-than-expected factory orders. What saved the day was unit labor costs, which rose 4.1%, indicating that wages are on their way up. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.23% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.17%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.30%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Thursday was Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) which traded up 1.19% at $83.26. The stock’s 52-week range is $72.61 to $90.97. Trading volume was about 35% below the daily average of around 7 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) traded up 1.07% at $161.13. The stock’s 52-week range is $77.12 to $96.24. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 4.9 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) traded higher by 1.04% at $115.95. The stock’s 52-week range is $74.61 to $117.92. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 5.5 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded up 0.98% at $114.94. The stock’s 52-week range is $73.61 to $116.58. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 4.1 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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