December 10, 2015: Markets opened lower for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday but almost immediately broke into positive territory and remained there for most of the day. Every sector traded higher today, even though both oil and natural gas prices slipped a bit in the afternoon. WTI crude for January delivery traded down 1.1% today to settle at $36.76 per barrel, it’s lowest settlement since February 2009. Gold for February delivery traded down 0.4% to settle at $1,072.00 for the day. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 0.65% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.39%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.47%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Thursday was Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) which traded up 2.57% at $89.85. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.58 to $114.45. Trading volume was about equal to the daily average of around 10.2 million. The company released its 2016 capital spending plan today, saying it plans to spend about 25% less than it did in 2015.
Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) traded up 1.70% at $53.72. The stock’s 52-week range is $45.69 to $63.62. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of about 12 million. The drug maker announced an expanded collaboration with Lilly on a combination drug trial.
The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded up 1.57% at $146.51. The stock’s 52-week range is $115.14 to $158.83. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of about 3.5 million. The company booked orders for 11 new planes on Thursday at a list price value of $1.1 billion.
UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded up 1.10% at $116.32. The stock’s 52-week range is $95.00 to $126.21. Volume was about half the daily average of around 4.5 million shares traded. The company had no specific news today.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 28 are set to close higher today and just 2 are on track to close lower.
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