October 13, 2015: Markets opened lower on Tuesday following disappointing economic data from China and a lack of any U.S. data, good or bad. All sectors traded in the red with about an hour to go in today’s session with industrials slipping the most. Crude oil settled at $46.66, down 0.9%, for the day and gold settled higher, up 0.1% at $1,165.40. Equities were headed for a lower close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded down 0.33% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.73%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.89%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Tuesday was Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) which traded down 2.54% at $49.42. The stock’s 52-week range is $45.69 to $63.62. Trading volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 12 million. The company had no specific news today, but yesterday’s report that Lilly’s cholesterol drug has failed to show results has cast a pall over the Merck candidate.

United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) traded lower by 1.34% at $94.15. The stock’s 52-week range is $85.50 to $124.45, and the high was posted today. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 5.8 million. The company had no specific news today, but analysts at RBC recommended moving to the sidelines on the big defense contractor.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) traded down 0.98% at $149.66. The stock’s 52-week range is $140.56 to $185.72. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 4.2 million. The company closed its acquisition of Merge Healthcare Inc. today.

The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) traded down 0.95% at $41.60. The stock’s 52-week range is $115.14 to $158.83. Trading volume was more about 40% below the daily average of around 15 million. The soft-drink giant is reportedly competing with rival PepsiCo for the privilege of buying a stake in Greek yogurt maker Chobani.

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

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