Chevron, Caterpillar Tank DJIA on Thursday

April 13, 2017 by Paul Ausick

April 13, 2017: Markets opened slightly lower Thursday, turning higher in the morning before drifting lower in the afternoon. Three big U.S. banks reported first-quarter mixed first-quarter results this morning, new claims for unemployment benefits were lower than expected, and a consumer sentiment index posted a solid number. Still, investors are wary. Energy and materials were leading all 11 S&P equity sectors down in Thursday’s trading session. WTI crude oil for May delivery settled at $53.18 a barrel, up 0.1% on the day and up about 1.8% for the short week. June gold added 0.8% on the day to settle at $1,288.50, another multi-month high. Equities were headed for a lower close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded down 0.55% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.50%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.35%.

Markets are closed Friday, April 14, in observance of Good Friday.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Thursday was Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) which traded down 2.31% at $106.46. The stock’s 52-week range is $95.52 to $119.00. Volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 6.5 million shares. The company is said to be exploring the sale of its assets in the Canadian oil sands.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded down 1.69% at $93.26. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.04 to $99.46. Volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 5.3 million shares. The company had no specific news.

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) traded down 1.41% at $81.80. The stock’s 52-week range is $80.31 to $95.55. Volume was about equal to the daily average of around 3.9 million shares. The oil & gas giant was hit by investor concerns about the slow rebalancing in crude oil markets.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours Inc. (NYSE: DD) traded down 1.36% at $77.36. The stock’s 52-week range is $61.12 to $82.37. Volume was 35% below the daily average of around 2.9 million. The company had no specific news Thursday.

Of the Dow stocks, just 2 are on track to close higher Thursday and 28 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.