August 17, 2016: Markets opened slightly lower Wednesday following a slide in European markets. Utility stocks were the leading sector while consumer discretionary stocks weighed most heavily. WTI crude oil for September delivery settled at $46.79 a barrel, up 0.5% for the day. December gold closed down 0.6% on the day to settle at $1,348.80. Equities were headed for a slightly higher close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded higher by 0.15% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.21%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.02%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Wednesday was E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (NYSE: DD) which traded up 1.06% at $68.75. The stock’s 52-week range is $47.11 to $75.72. Volume was about 50% below the daily average of around 3.1 million shares. The company had no specific news Wednesday.
3M Company (NYSE: MMM) traded up 1.04% at $179.99. The stock’s 52-week range is $134.00 to $182.27. Trading volume was about 35% below the daily average of around 1.9 million. The company had no specific news.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) traded up 0.93% at $35.12. The stock’s 52-week range is $28.25 to $37.39. Volume was about 35% below the daily average of around 22.9 million shares. The drug maker had no specific news.
Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) traded up 0.62% at $102.18. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.58 to $107.58. Volume was 30% below the daily average of around 6.5 million shares. Rising crude oil prices due to a larger-than-expected draw on inventories lifted Chevron shares today.
Of the 30 Dow index stocks 21 are on track to close higher Wednesday and 9 are set to close lower.
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)
Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Take the retirement quiz right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
