September 24, 2015: Markets opened lower on Thursday as U.S. markets once again took the lead from Europe where a German magazine called into question the ability of a BMW diesel-powered vehicle’s emissions quality. Industrials got punished following the announcement of a massive layoff at Caterpillar. Crude oil for November delivery settled up 1% today and December gold added 2%.  Equities were headed for a lower close shortly before the closing bell as the DJIA traded down 0.48% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.33%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.41%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Thursday was Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) which traded down 6.37% at $65.72. The stock’s 52-week range is $64.65 to $107.12, and the low was posted today. Trading volume was more than triple the daily average of around 6.6 million. The company announced a massive layoff and other cost-cutting measures this morning.

The Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) traded down 1.82% at $71.54. The stock’s 52-week range is $65.02 to $93.89. Trading volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 9.8 million. The company had no specific news today.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) traded lower by 1.80% at $121.06. The stock’s 52-week range is $80.72 to $126.21. Trading volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 4.4 million. The company had no specific news today.

The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded down 1.37% at $129.87. The stock’s 52-week range is $115.14  to $1358.83. Trading volume was about 20% above the daily average of around 3.7 million. The company’s announced orders from China may not be as solid as Boeing would want us to believe.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 16 are set to close lower today and 14 are on track to close higher.

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