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July 14, 2014: Markets opened higher on Monday as every sector posted a gain for the day, led by telecoms up by more than 1%. There was no economic news of any note released today. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.65% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.46%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.54%.

Today’s largest percentage gainer among the Dow 30 stocks was Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) which traded up 1.82% at $220.95. The stock’s 52-week range is $170.99 to $235.50. Volume was about equal to the daily average of around 2.7 million shares traded. Visa had no news today, and it’s rank as the highest priced stock on the price-weighted Dow index certainly moved the market higher today.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded higher by 1.69% at $84.27. The stock’s 52-week range is $65.92 to $84.69, and the (all-time) high was set earlier today. Volume was about 20% lower than the daily average of around 4 million shares traded. There was no news on the company today, but second-quarter results are due Thursday and expectations have been set low and look easy to beat.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) traded up 1.35% at $167.01 today, in a 52-week range of $151.33 to $181.13. Volume was about equal to the daily average of around 2.5 million shares traded. Shares are higher as investors anticipate the bank’s earnings report coming tomorrow morning. Today’s report from Citi is encouraging for all big bank stocks.

The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded up 1.13% at $129.52. The stock’s 52-week range is $101.77 to $144.57. Share volume was about 30% above the daily average of around 3.5 million shares traded. Boeing is taking orders at the Farnborough International Airshow and investors couldn’t be happier.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 25 are set to close higher today and just 5 look to close lower.

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