Wal-Mart, Chevron Lead DJIA Friday Surge

September 30, 2016 by Paul Ausick

September 30, 2016: Markets opened higher again Friday after Deutsche Bank CEO John Cryan assured employees that the bank’s capital position was better and more liquid than it had been in 2007. Eight of 11 sectors traded in the green Friday, led by financials and energy. After recovering from sharp drop in the early hours, WTI crude oil for November delivery settled at $48.24 a barrel, up 0.9% for the day. WTI futures gained 7.9% for the month of September, but lost 0.2% for the third quarter. December gold closed down 0.7% on the day to settle at $1,317.10. The yellow metal finished the month up about 0.4% but lost nearly 0.3% over the course of the third quarter. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded up by 1.14% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 1.04%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.99%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Friday was Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) which traded up 2.22% at $72.30. The stock’s 52-week range is $56.30 to $75.19. Volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 8.2 million shares. The company was raised to Overweight at KeyBanc Capital Markets this morning.

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) traded up 1.96% at $103.25. The stock’s 52-week range is $75.33 to $107.58. Trading volume was less than 10% below the daily average of around 6.5 million. The oil and gas giant had no specific news, but the uptick in crude prices is a solid benefit to the company.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) traded up 1.96% at $162.07. The stock’s 52-week range is $138.20 to $199.90. Volume was about 25% above the daily average of around 2.7 million shares. No specific news on Goldman either.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) traded up 1.91% at $66.90. The stock’s 52-week range is $52.50 to $69.03. Volume was slightly higher than the daily average of around 13.5 million shares. The big bank had no specific news Friday.

Of the 30 Dow index stocks all are on track to close higher Friday.

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