October 7, 2015: Markets opened higher on Wednesday tagging along on a rise in European equities. The upbeat start gave way to a loss of enthusiasm following the release of U.S. crude oil inventory data showing another large increase. Much of that inventory increase is due to lower throughput in domestic refineries that are currently going through seasonal maintenance and turnaround. Crude traded nearly 3% higher at one point this morning, and did manage to settle up 1.5% at $47.81. Gold added 0.2% today to settle at $1,148.70.  Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 0.59% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.66%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.75%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Wednesday was Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) which traded higher by 2.21% at $50.90. The stock’s 52-week range is $47.11 to $76.59. Trading volume was nearly equal to the daily average of around 12 million. The company won a court ruling in India, barring sales of a generic equivalent of its Januvia diabetes treatment.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) traded up 1.73% at $32.29. The stock’s 52-week range is $24.87 to $37.90. Trading volume was about 10% below the daily average of around 34.7 million. The company had no specific news today.

The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded up 1.54% at $136.70. The stock’s 52-week range is $115.14 to $158.83. Trading volume was more about 40% below the daily average of around 3.8 million. The stock got a boost from a reported order worth $7.4 billion from Ethiopian Air. Boeing has not announced the order yet..

The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) traded up 1.29% at $41.49. The stock’s 52-week range is $62.99 to $107.12. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 15 million. The company had no specific news today, but rival Pepsi’s results have boosted the soft-drinks makers in general.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 23 are set to close higher today and 7 are on track to close lower.

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