December 8, 2015: Markets opened lower on again on Tuesday following economic data from China showing imports declined and exports came in lower than expected in November. Commodity prices remain weak and may get weaker, led by oil (of course) and iron ore. WTI crude for January delivery traded down 0.4% today to settle at $37.51 per barrel. Gold for February delivery traded down up a dime to settle at $1,075.30 for the day. Equities were headed for a lower close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded down .080% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.60%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.04%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Tuesday was Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) which traded down 2.71% at $74.72. The stock’s 52-week range is $66.55 to $95.18. Trading volume was about 25% above the daily average of around 14.2 million. The oil & gas giant had no specific news today, but Brent tumbled below $40 a barrel today and WTI is lodged below $38.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded down 2.64% at $66.56. The stock’s 52-week range is $62.99 to $96.17. Trading volume was about 25% below the daily average of about 6.7 million. Investors see the continuing drops in commodity prices and have a hard time believing that Caterpillar and other heavy equipment makers will thrive in the new environment.
The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded down 2.09% at $145.35. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.58 to $114.45. Trading volume was about equal to the daily average of about 3.5 million. The company rolled out its first 737 Max today, but that was countered by the loss of its leadership in widebody orders for this year to rival Airbus.
United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) traded down 1.58% at $94.39. The stock’s 52-week range is $85.50 to $124.45. Volume was about equal to the daily average of around 4.8 million shares traded. The company had no specific news today.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 28 are set to close lower today and just 2 are on (barely) track to close higher.
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