August 19, 2015: Markets opened lower on Wednesday following a down and then up session in Asia and a report that the U.S. July consumer price index rose just 0.1% on both the headline and core numbers. The crude oil inventory report showed a gain of over 2 million barrels last week, and that absolutely clobbered crude which settled down more than 4% on the day. It appeared that the FOMC minutes might pull equities out of the doldrums, but after an initial charge back at the break-even line, stocks turned south again. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded down 0.71% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.60%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.55%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Wednesday was Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) which traded down 2.70% at $81.19. The stock’s 52-week range is $80.67 to $129.53, and the low was posted today. Trading volume was about 20% higher than the daily average of around 8 million. The large build in crude oil dividends pounded the company’s stock today.

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) traded down 1.73% at $76.55. The stock’s 52-week range is $75.93 to $100.31, and the low was also posted this morning. Trading volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 11.8 million. Only Chevron prevented Exxon from having the worst Wednesday among the Dow 30.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded lower by 1.58%% at $123.52. The stock’s 52-week range is $80.72 to $126.21. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 4.1 million. The health insurer had no specific news today.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded down 1.54% at $77.61. The stock’s 52-week range is $74.77 to $109.73. About 4.5 million shares traded hands today, around 15% below the daily average of about 5.2 million. The company had no specific news today, but continuing bad news about commodities hits the maker of mining equipment hard.

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

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