December 22, 2015: Markets opened higher again on Tuesday following rising prices for crude oil on European markets and a better than expected report on consumer confidence in Germany. The final report on U.S. third-quarter GDP revised the prior growth estimate down from 2.1% to 2%, but that was in line with expectations. WTI crude for February delivery rose about 0.1% today to settle at $36.14 per barrel. Gold for February delivery traded lower by about 0.6% to settle at $1,074.10 for the day. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 0.74% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.67%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.41%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Tuesday was Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) which traded up 4.41% at $68.13. The stock’s 52-week range is $62.99 to $94.66. Trading volume was around 10% above the daily average of around 7 million. The machinery maker will have to pay $74 million to U.K. company after a jury found that Caterpillar was guilty of stealing trade secrets. Shares probably rose due the rather limited size of the award.
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD) traded up 1.25% at $64.62. The stock’s 52-week range is $47.11 to $76.59. Trading volume was about half the daily average of about 7.2 million. The company had no specific news today.
International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) traded up 1.70% at $137.78. The stock’s 52-week range is $131.65 to $176.30. Trading volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 4.8 million. The technology giant also had no specific news today.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) traded up 1.73% at $60.58. The stock’s 52-week range is $56.30 to $90.97. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 12.6 million shares traded. The company’s stock closed above its 50-day moving average on Monday.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 27 are set to close higher today and 3 are on track to close lower.
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