December 21, 2015: Markets opened higher on Monday following a changing of the guard at the top of Spain’s government and new hope for another dose of government stimulus in China. A weaker greenback helped commodity metals prices today, and colder than expected weather boosted natural gas futures.WTI crude for February delivery lost about 0.7% today to settle at $35.81 per barrel, more than a dollar higher that the closeout price on the January contract. Gold for February delivery traded up about 1.5% to settle at $1,080.60 for the day. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 0.41% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.45%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.54%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Monday was JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) which traded up 1.34% at $65.26. The stock’s 52-week range is $50.07 to $70.61. Trading volume was more than 25% below the daily average of around 15 million. The investment bank today settled a class action lawsuit for $150 million.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) traded up 1.08% at $32.33. The stock’s 52-week range is $28.47 to $36.46. Trading volume was about 40% lower than the daily average of about 36 million. Pfizer, along with Exxon, tied for fifth place in 24/7 Wall Street’s preliminary list of the top five Dogs of the Dow.
Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) traded up 0.97% at $54.65. The stock’s 52-week range is $39.72 to $56.79. Trading volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 36 million. The world’s largest software company announced the acquisition of a mobile messaging startup today.
United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) traded up 0.93% at $93.20. The stock’s 52-week range is $85.50 to $124.45. Volume was about 10% below the daily average of around 5 million shares traded. Reuters reported Monday morning that the company’s Pratt & Whitney division will delay delivery of its geared turbofan engine to some customers of the Airbus A320neo.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 25 are set to close higher today and 5 are on track to close lower.
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