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July 14, 2017: Markets opened mixed Friday as the DJIA was a little slow out of the blocks. Earnings from three of the nation’s largest banks were mixed as were the reports on retail sales and the consumer price index. The financial sector is the day’s only loser while real estate and technology had gained the most. WTI crude oil for August delivery settled at $46.54 a barrel, up 1% on the day to close the week up 5.2%. August gold added 0.8% on the day to settle at $1,227.50, up about 1.5% for the week. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded up 0.54% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.58%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.67%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Friday was Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) which traded up 1.99% at $73.20 after posting a new 52-week high of $73.27 earlier. The stock’s 52-week low is $53.93. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of about 25 million shares. The company had no specific news Friday.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) traded up 1.89% at $76.47. The stock’s 52-week range is $65.28 to $80.47. Volume was about 35% below the daily average of around 8.9 million. The company got a boost after a ratings hike to Buy and a price target upgrade from Goldman Sachs.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours Inc. (NYSE: DD) traded up 1.18% at $84.79. The stock’s 52-week range is $66.02 to $84.97, a new high set this afternoon. Volume was about 65% below the daily average of around 2.4 million shares. The company had no specific news.

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) traded up 1.14% at $97.03. The stock’s 52-week range is $75.17 to $97.37 and the high was posted this morning. Volume was 40% below the daily average of around 8.2 million shares. The company had no specific news Friday.

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