January 9, 2018: Markets opened higher Tuesday following a decline in the number of U.S. job openings and a slight decline in the small-business confidence index. The healthcare and financial sectors led the gainers while telecom and real estate lagged. WTI crude oil for February delivery settled at $62.96 a barrel, up 2% for the day it’s highest level since December 2014. February gold dropped about 0.5% on the day to settle at $1,313.70. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded up 0.52% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.28%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.20%.
Bitcoin futures for January delivery traded at $14,175, down about 1.3% on the CME after opening at $14,675 this morning. Only 839 contracts had been traded in the session and open interest is just 642.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Tuesday was The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) which traded up 2.69% at $318.50. The stock’s 52-week range is $156.67 to $319.85, a new 52-week high set this afternoon. Volume was about 33% above the daily average of around 3.1 million. The aerospace giant reported record deliveries for 2017 and a massive backlog going forward.
General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) traded up 1.67% at $18.59. The stock’s 52-week range is $17.25 to $31.626. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 82 million shares. The industrial firm had no specific news.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) traded up 1.62% at $144.20. The stock’s 52-week range is $110.76 to $145.68, a new 52-week high set this morning. Volume was about 15% above the daily average of around 5.4 million shares. The company had no specific news Tuesday
United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) traded up 1.23% at $134.45. The stock’s 52-week range is $106.85 to $135.79. Volume was about 15% above the daily average of around 3 million shares. The company had no specific news today, but Monday’s Goldman Sachs ratings upgrade to Buy with a $50 bump in the target price to $173 is still paying off for UTC.
Of the Dow stocks, 19 are on track to close higher Tuesday and 11 are set to close lower.
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