August 5, 2015: Markets opened higher again on Wednesday following a surprise jump in the ISM non-manufacturing index. The trade deficit was larger than expected, but was inline with the Census Bureau’s own advance estimate issued last week. Crude oil jumped briefly following a larger-than-expected draw on inventories, but ended up dropping more than 2% to below $45 a barrel before closing at around $45.15. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded down fractionally for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.33%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.69%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Wednesday was Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) which traded up 2.52% at $73.57. The stock’s 52-week range is $70.36 to $90.97. About 4.5 million shares traded hands today, around 40% below the daily average of about 7.5 million. The company had no specific news today.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded higher by 2.68%% at $124.04. The stock’s 52-week range is $78.74 to $126.05. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 4.2 million. The company had no specific news today.

The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded up 1.70% at $145.05. The stock’s 52-week range is $116.32 to $158.83. Trading volume was about 45% below the daily average of around 3.3 million. The wreckage found on Reunion Island has been identified as being from the Malaysia Air 777 that disappeared more than a year ago over the Indian Ocean.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) traded up 0.86% at $115.83. The stock’s 52-week range is $93.28 to $134.54. Trading volume was was about double the daily average of around 46 million. The company’s stock was downgraded yesterday, but the shares have recovered some lost ground today as investors appear to be buying the dip.

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

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