October 22, 2015: Markets opened higher on Thursday on a better-than-expected report on new claims for unemployment benefits, but the better news for investors is that European Central Bank is ready to fund another round of quantitative easing. WTI crude oil for December delivery settled at $45.38 a barrel, up 0.4% on the day, and gold settled at $1,166.10, down 0.1% for the day. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 1.92% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 1.70%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 1.57%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Thursday was McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) which traded up 7.93% at $110.67. The stock’s 52-week range is $87.50 to $111.00, and the high was posted today. Trading volume was more than 3 times the daily average of around 6.3 million. The company posted an upside earnings surprise this morning.

3M Company (NYSE: MMM) traded up 4.21% at $156.12. The stock’s 52-week range is $134.00 to $170.50. Trading volume was about 60% above the daily average of around 2.8 million. The company posted higher-than-expected earnings this morning, and announced 1,500 job cuts.

The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded up 3.78% at $146.52. The stock’s 52-week range is $115.14 to $158.83. Trading volume was up about 40% compared with the daily average of around 4 million. The company confirmed an order for 19 Dreamliners valued at $5 billion with Norwegian Airlines.

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) traded up 3.30% at $52.26 The stock’s 52-week range is $45.69 to $63.62. Trading volume was about equal to the daily average of around 12.8 million. The company had no specific news today.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 18 are set to close lower today and 12 are on track to close higher.

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