December 28, 2015: Markets opened lower on Monday after a long holiday weekend and amid weak economic news from China and falling prices for commodities. The Dallas Fed’s manufacturing survey was also released today. WTI crude oil for February delivery traded 3.4% lower today to settle at $36.81. Gold for February delivery traded lower by about 0.6% at $1,068.30 for the day. Equities were headed for a lower close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded down 0.14% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.23%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.25%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Monday was Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) which traded down 1.75% at $90.44. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.58 to $114.38. Trading volume was about half the daily average of about 10.6 million. The company had no specific news today, but lower oil prices always hit the two Dow oil stocks hard these days.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) traded down 1.29% at $106.64. The stock’s 52-week range is $92.00 to $134.54. Trading volume was about half the daily average of around 45 million. The company also had no specific news today.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded down 1.21% at $68.54. The stock’s 52-week range is $62.99 to $94.66. Volume was less than half the daily average of around 6.7 million shares traded. The heavy machinery maker had no specific news today.
Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) traded down 0.68% at $78.79. The stock’s 52-week range is $66.55 to $94.43. Trading volume was about half the daily average of around 15 million. The other energy producer on the index fared only a bit better than its peer.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 18 are set to close lower today and 12 are on track to close higher.
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