March 11, 2016: Markets opened higher again on Friday and held on to the early gains all day. Energy and financials stocks led the gainers and only 2 of 10 sectors posted losses: consumer staples and utilities. There was little economic data released today. WTI crude oil for April delivery settled at $38.50 a barrel, up about 1.7% on the day. WTI added about 7% in the week, its fourth straight weekly gain. April gold dropped 1.1% to settle at $1,259.40 for the day, and down about 0.6% for the week. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 1.26% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 1.61%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 1.79%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Friday was Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) which traded up 2.84% at $30.44. The stock’s 52-week range is $28.25 to $36.46. Trading volume was less than 10% below the daily average of around 38 million. The healthcare giant received approval from the FDA to expand the use of its XALKORI lung cancer drug.
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD) traded up 2.65% at $63.81 The stock’s 52-week range is $47.11 to $76.59. Volume reached about 65% below the daily average of around 5.7 million shares. The chemical giant had no specific news.
UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded up 2.40% at $125.03. The stock’s 52-week range is $95.00 to $126.21. Trading volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 3.7 million. The company had no specific news Thursday.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded up 2.20% at $72.93. The stock’s 52-week range is $56.36 to $89.62. Volume was about 45% below the daily average of around 7.3 million shares traded. The heavy equipment material had no news Thursday.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 27 are set to close higher today and 3 are on track to close higher.
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