October 16, 2015: Markets opened higher on Friday following an expected drop of 0.2% in U.S. industrial production and a surprise jump of 2.5 points in the consumer sentiment index. Crude oil for November delivery settled at $47.26 a barrel, up more than 2% on the day but down XX% for the week. Gold dropped 0.4% today to settle at $1,183.10, but posted a gain of about 2.4% for the week. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 0.33% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.36%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.22%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Friday was General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) which traded up 3.71% at $29.07. The stock’s 52-week range is $19.37 to $29.19, and the high was posted today. Trading volume was more than two and a half times the daily average of around 41 million. The industrial giant reported solid earnings Friday morning.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) traded up 1.12% at $62.58. The stock’s 52-week range is $50.07 to $70.61. Trading volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 16.4 million. The big bank had no specific news today.

Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK) traded up 1.46% at $51.46. The stock’s 52-week range is $45.69 to $63.62. Trading volume was about 25% lower than the daily average of around 12.7 million. The drug giant had no specific news today.

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) traded higher by 1.09% at $82.37. The stock’s 52-week range is $66.55 to $97.20. Trading volume was about 35% below the daily average of around 16 million. The U.S. rig count fell again this past week, always a good sign for oil producers.

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

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