May 6, 2016: Markets opened lower on Friday following a lower-than-expected report on U.S. employment. The report contributed to a short-lived boost in traders’ interest in U.S. Treasuries, but that didn’t last long. Basic materials and industrial stocks led all sectors and only healthcare and utilities traded lower as the session neared the closing bell. WTI crude oil for June delivery settled at $44.66 a barrel, up about 0.8% for the day, although prices fell 2.7% over the course of the week. June gold jumped 1.7% on the day to settle at $1,294.00 and a gain of 0.3% for the week. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded up 0.30% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.15%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.19%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Friday was International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) which traded up 1.38% at $147.08. The stock’s 52-week range is $116.90 to $174.44. Trading volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 4.8 million. The technology company had no specific news Friday.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) traded up 1.44% at $68.18. The stock’s 52-week range is $56.30 to $79.94. Volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 9.2 million shares. The world’s largest retailer had no specific news on Friday.
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The Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) traded up 0.89% at $82.02. The stock’s 52-week range is $65.02 to $83.87. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 8.9 million. The consumer products company had no specific news.
American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) traded up 0.83% at $64.45. The stock’s 52-week range is $50.27 to $81.92. Volume was about half the daily average of around 5.8 million shares. The company had no specific news on Friday.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 23 are set to close higher Friday and 7 are on track to close lower.
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