December 24, 2015: Markets opened mixed on Thursday after thin trading and little movement in both Europe and Asia. The report on U.S. jobless claims was better than expected, but weakness in some energy stocks kept share prices down. WTI crude for February delivery traded up about 1.2% today at $37.94 per barrel, up about 5% for the week. The Nymex does not close until 1:30 p.m. ET today, so this is not the settlement price. Gold for February delivery traded higher by about 0.6% at $1,076.10 for the day, and like oil, trading won’t settle until after equity markets close at 1:00 p.m ET today. Equities were headed for a slightly higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 0.01% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.07%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.26%. But it’s a near run thing and the Dow could reverse before the bell rings.
U.S. markets are closed tomorrow for the Christmas holiday.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Thursday was E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD) which traded up 0.82% at $66.57. The stock’s 52-week range is $47.11 to $76.59. Trading volume was about 80% below the daily average of about 7.1 million. The company had no specific news again today.
American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) traded up 0.61% at $70.40. The stock’s 52-week range is $67.57 to $94.89. Trading volume was about 75% below the daily average of around 5.7 million. The company also had no specific news today.
The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) traded up 0.45% at $106.04. The stock’s 52-week range is $90.00 to $122.08. Volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 9.3 million shares traded. The mouse house stock finally gets a little bounce from the success of the new Star Wars movie.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) traded up 0.40% at $32.69. The stock’s 52-week range is $28.47 to $36.46. Trading volume was around 80% below the daily average of around 37 million. The drug maker had no specific news today.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 19 are set to close higher today and 11 are on track to close lower.
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