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March 28, 2017: Markets opened slightly higher Tuesday but took a turn for the better almost at once. Surging consumer confidence did the heavy lifting. Only the utilities sector was looking to close with a loss Tuesday as financials and materials carried the day. WTI crude oil for May delivery settled at $48.37 a barrel, up 1.3% on the day. April gold dropped 10 cents on the day to settle at $1,255.60. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded up 0.78% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.78%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.67%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Tuesday was Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) which traded up 2.16% at $143.93. The stock’s 52-week range is $89.47 to $144.04, a new 52-week high set this afternoon. Volume was about equal to the daily average of around 27.3 million. The company had no specific news, but one analyst had some very bullish comments on the stock.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) traded up 1.73% at $88.75. The stock’s 52-week range is $57.05 to $93.98. Volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 15.9 million shares. The company had no specific news Tuesday.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded up 1.72% at $93.08. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.04 to $99.46. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 5.2 million shares. The company had no specific news.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) traded up 1.63% at $229.16. The stock’s 52-week range is $138.20 to $255.15. Volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 3.8 million shares. The company had no specific news Tuesday.

Of the Dow 30 stocks, 27 are on track to close higher Tuesday and just 3 are set to close lower.