October 15, 2015: Markets opened higher on Thursday following a strong showing for stocks in both Asia and Europe. Biotech stocks continue to get new life, helping overcome some softness in tech stocks. Crude oil futures settled at $46.38, down about 0.6% on the day and gold settled higher, up 0.3% at $1,187.50. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 1.25% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 1.43%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 1.68%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Thursday was Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) which traded up 3.13% at $34.08. The stock’s 52-week range is $27.51 to $36.46. Trading volume was more about 20% below the daily average of around 26 million. The healthcare giant had no specific news today.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) traded up 3.07% at $61.83. The stock’s 52-week range is $50.07 to $70.61. Trading volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 16.4 million. The company is selling off some Canadian credit card business to Scotiabank for $1.3 billion.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) traded up 3.04% at $184.97. The stock’s 52-week range is $167.49 to $218.77. Trading volume was about 30% higher than the daily average of around 3.1 million. The big bank reported earnings this morning that appeared weaker than today’s trading action indicates.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) traded higher by 2.88% at $97.25. The stock’s 52-week range is $81.79 to $109.49. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 8.8 million. Another healthcare giant with no specific news today.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 25 are set to close higher today and 5 are on track to close lower.

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