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November 15, 2016: Markets opened mixed Tuesday as the blue chips got off to a slow start. Both the financials and real estate gave back some recent gains and the industrial sector lagged until finally breaking into the green about 90 minutes before the closing bell. The energy sector skyrocketed on a sharp increase in crude oil prices. WTI crude oil for December delivery settled at $45.81 a barrel, up 5.8% for the day. December gold added 0.2% on the day to settle at $1,224.50. Equities were headed for a higher close before the bell as the DJIA traded up 0.24% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.71%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 1.25%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Tuesday was Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) which traded up 2.43% at $47.30. The stock’s 52-week range is $43.79 to $56.95. Trading volume was 10% above the daily average of around 13.6 million. The company had no specific news Tuesday.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) traded up 2.40% at $59.11. The stock’s 52-week range is $48.04 to $61.37. Volume of roughly equal to the daily average of around 26.4 million shares. The software giant had no specific news.

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) traded up 2.22% at $108.96. The stock’s 52-week range is $75.33 to $109.66, a new high set earlier this morning. Volume was about 25% above the daily average of around 6.8 million shares. The crude price surge led both DJIA energy giants to solid gains in Tuesday’s trading session.

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) traded up 1.74% at $86.76. The stock’s 52-week range is $71.55 to $95.55. Volume was about 10% below the daily average of around 10.6 million shares. The company had no specific news Tuesday, but, like Chevron, higher crude prices are always good news.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 18 are on track to close higher Tuesday and 12 are set to close lower.