United Technologies, Pfizer Lead DJIA Higher on Thursday

Investing

Published: September 14, 2017 4:01 pm

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 8:10 am

September 14, 2017: Markets opened lower Thursday but the blue chip DJIA turned north quickly and traded in the green (and touched a new intra-day high) for the rest of the day. This morning’s report on the consumer price index did not provide a decisive direction for equities. Utilities and energy stocks traded higher, while telecom and consumer discretionary stocks lagged. WTI crude oil for October delivery settled at $49.89 a barrel, up 1.2% on the day. December gold added 0.41% to settle at $1,329.30. Equities were headed for a mixed close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded up 0.21% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.13%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.55%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Thursday was United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX which traded up 2.33% at $112.86. The stock’s 52-week range is $97.62 to $124.79. Volume was about 65% above the daily average of around 3.2 million shares. The company had no specific news.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) traded up 2.03% at $35.77. The stock’s 52-week range is $29.83 to $35.84, and the high was posted this morning. Volume was about 15% above the daily average of around 17.3 million. The company’s Xtandi treatment for prostate cancer showed promising results in a late stage trial.

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) traded up 1.52% at $65.97. The stock’s 52-week range is $58.29 to $66.80. Volume was around 30% below the daily average of about 8 million shares. The company had no specific news.

The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded up 1.47% at $245.48. The stock’s 52-week range is $126.34 to $246.49. Volume was about 10% above the daily average of around 3.5 million shares. The company announced on Wednesday a long-anticipated increase in production to its 787 Dreamliner.

Of the Dow stocks, 16 are on track to close higher Thursday and 14 are set to close lower.