April 2, 2015: Markets opened lower on Thursday but quickly turned higher as data on factory orders was better than expected following a lower-than-expected report on new claims for jobless benefits and new car sales point toward a 2015 total of 17 million units. Crude oil slipped further today, but natural gas rose on the report that last week’s drawdowns were higher than expected. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.48% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.48%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.26%.

U.S. equities exchanges are closing tomorrow.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Tuesday was The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) which traded up 1.47% at $114.79. The stock’s 52-week range is $74.61 to $117.99. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 5.3 million shares. The company had no specific news today.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) traded higher by 1.31% at $49.56. The stock’s 52-week range is $45.09 to $53.66. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 17 million shares. The company announced this morning that it had made network and coverage improvements in several states in New England.

United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) traded up 1.11% at $117.21. The stock’s 52-week range is $97.30 to $124.45. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 4 million shares. The company’s Pratt & Whitney division hosted a two-day media event that concluded today.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) traded up 1.08% at $60.60. The stock’s 52-week range is $52.97 to $63.49. Trading volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 18.4 million shares. The bank has repaid about $2.2 billion of the $4 billion it owes for consumer relief related to the bad residential mortgage-backed securities it sold ahead of the financial crisis.

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

ALSO READ: The Largest Employer in Each State

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.