May 6, 2015: Markets opened higher on Wednesday but soon sank as growth expectations for the U.S. economy dimmed again. Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen may have spooked investors by talking about high equity valuations, although the reports from the financial media and headlines on the matter might have spooked investors more than what she really said. The yield on the 10-year Treasury almost hit 2.25% again, the highest yields for 2015. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded down 0.66% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.62%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.58%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Wednesday was Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) which traded down 3.11% at $46.12. The stock’s 52-week range is $38.51 to $50.05 Trading volume was about 10% above the daily average of around 37 million shares. The company was caught in a sell-off in the tech sector today. And in news related to the possible acquisition of Salesforce.com, a long-time Microsoft analyst thinks Oracle is a more likely acquirer.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) traded down 1.23%% at $169.66. The stock’s 52-week range is $149.52 to $196.40. Trading volume is about 40% below the daily average of around 4.4 million shares. The company has signed a deal with Facebook to provide targeted marketing.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) traded down 1.06% at $33.48. The stock’s 52-week range is $27.51 to $35.53. Trading volume is about 35% below the daily average of around 5 million shares. The drug company had no news today, but higher bond yields slowed interest in equities across the board today.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) traded lower by 0.90% at $195.51. The stock’s 52-week range is $153.71 to $202.87. Trading volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 2.5 million shares. The investment banking giant had no specific news today.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 27 are set to close lower today and only 3 are on track to close higher.

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