June 5, 2015: Markets opened lower on Friday and appears headed for a mixed close. The Greek government is apparently going to pay the June installment on its debt, but the country’s leader continues to say the demands are unrealistic. The non-farm payroll report today and the upward movement of aggregate earnings and hourly wages boosted hopes among financial sector investors that the Fed would raise interest rates sooner rather than later. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded down 0.35% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.17%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.15%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Friday was Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) which traded down 1.95% at $47.18. The stock’s 52-week range is $45.09 to $53.66. More than 18 million shares traded hands today, above the daily average of around 15.2 million. The telecom giant continues to feel the pain of the merger talk swirling around T-Mobile and Dish Network.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) traded down 1.52% at $73.02. The stock’s 52-week range is $72.61 to $90.97. Trading volume totaled about 8 million shares, above the daily average of around 7 million. The company’s chairman is stepping down and will hand the reins to his son-in-law. The Walton family controls the company through its ownership of more than 40% of Wal-Mart stock.

The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) traded down 1.21% at $40.10. The stock’s 52-week range is $39.06 to $45.00. Trading volume reached about 9.5 million shares, well below the daily average of around 13.9 million. The company’s primary competitor, PepsiCo, yesterday launched a new line of fountain craft drinks that apparently appeals to analysts.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) traded lower by 1.18% at $31.93. The stock’s 52-week range is $27.72 to $37.90. Trading volume topped 22 million shares, well below the daily average of around 32 million. The company had no specific news today.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 22 are set to close lower today and 8 are on track to close lower.

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