April 14, 2016: Markets opened slightly higher Thursday following rather cool data on the consumer price index and fewer new claims for unemployment benefits than expected. Equities spent most of the rest of the day in the green as the financials sector led the way again. Tech stocks traded down nearly all day. WTI crude oil for May delivery settled at $41.50 a barrel, down 0.6% for the day. June gold dipped 1.8% to settle at $1,226.50 for the day. Equities were headed for a mixed close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 0.15% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.09, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.06%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Thursday was JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) which traded up 1.38% at $62.65. The stock’s 52-week range is $50.07 to $70.61. Volume was about equal to the daily average of around 20 million shares traded. The country’s largest bank reported earnings Wednesday morning and then watched Wells Fargo and BofA report Thursday, but come in behind JPMorgan.
Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) traded up 0.98% at $56.51. The stock’s 52-week range is $45.69 to $61.70. Volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 10.8 million shares. The drugmaker this morning presented positive data on a phase 3 trial.
The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) traded up 0.81% at $161.15. The stock’s 52-week range is $139.05 to $218.77. Trading volume was about half the daily average of around 5 million. The company had no specific news, and continues to post gains ahead of next Tuesday’s earnings report.
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) traded up 0.74% at $80.30. The stock’s 52-week range is $60.00 to $81.01. Trading volume was about 20% less than the daily average of around 10 million. The credit card issues had no specific news Thursday.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 20 are set to close higher on Thursday and 10 are on track to close lower.
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