November 18, 2016: Markets opened higher Friday but the good vibe did not last. The energy sector posted the best gain while the healthcare sector fared worst. As we head into the holiday week, and especially the Black Friday shopping holiday, we’ll be keeping an eye on the success or lack of it in the retail sector. WTI crude oil for December delivery settled at $45.69 a barrel, up 0.6% for the day and up more than 5% for the week. December gold dropped 0.7% on the day to settle at $1,208.70, down 1.3% on the week. Equities were headed for a lower close before the bell as the DJIA traded down 0.12% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.14%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.14%. All three indexes are trading just barely south of the break-even line so by the time the final bell rings these data could change.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Friday was American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) which traded down 1.06% at $71.02. The stock’s 52-week range is $50.27 to $73.35. Volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 4.9 million shares. The credit card company had no specific news Friday.
The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) traded down 1.05% at $98.33. The stock’s 52-week range is $86.25 to $120.65. Trading volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 7.5 million. The Mouse House had no specific news.
Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) traded down 1.00% at $62.07. The stock’s 52-week range is $47.97 to $65.46. Volume was roughly half the daily average of around 10.3 million shares. The drug maker had no specific news.
Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) traded down 1.00% at $51.08. The stock’s 52-week range is $49.01 to $68.19. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 9.7 million shares. The company had no specific news Friday.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 11 are on track to close higher Friday and 19 are set to close lower.
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