June 3, 2015: Markets opened higher on Wednesday following encouraging reports on the U.S. trade deficit (down) and non-farm employment up more than expected. The Fed’s Beige Book acknowledged continued economic expansion in 7 of 13 Fed districts. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.44% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.26%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.46%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Wednesday was The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) which traded up 1.60% at $113.37. The stock’s 52-week range is $77.75 to $117.99. Trading volume totaled about 4.7 million shares, in line with the daily average of around 4.8 million. The company had no specific news today.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) traded up 1.15% at $66.78. The stock’s 52-week range is $54.26 to $67.19. More than 10 million shares traded hands today, below the daily average of around 14.6 million. The company is turning off voicemail for retail employees in order to save $3.2 million in needless costs. Bank CEO Jamie Dimon was added to Bloomberg’s billionaire list today. Any connection between the two events?

United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) traded higher by 1.14% at $118.68. The stock’s 52-week range is $97.30 to $129.45. Trading volume approached 2.5 million, well below the daily average of around 3.4 million. The company’s Sikorsky helicopter division is cutting 1,400 jobs as a result of lower demand from the oil industry.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) traded up 1.12% at $208.72. The stock’s 52-week range is $160.86 to $210.17 and the 52-week high was set today. Trading volume approached 2 million shares,  below the daily average of around 2.5 million. A report this morning from Bloomberg said that Goldman is the top equities broker in the U.S..

Of the Dow 30 stocks 21 are set to close higher today and 9 are on track to close lower.

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