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August 15, 2017: Markets opened higher again Tuesday even though reported economic data was slightly better than expected. The telecom and energy sectors weighed, while consumer staples and financials showed gains. WTI crude oil for September delivery settled at $47.55 a barrel, down just 4 cents for the day. December gold dropped 0.8% on the day to settle at $1,279.70. Equities were headed for a narrowly higher close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded up 0.12%for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.08%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.03%.

Stocks traded very near the break-even line just minutes before the closing bell. The closing tally could finish with either a small gain or a small loss for any or all of the indexes.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Tuesday was American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) which traded up 1.66% at $86.89. The stock’s 52-week range is $59.50 to $86.97 and the high was posted this afternoon. Volume was about 20% below daily average of around 3.3 million shares. The financial services company had no specific news.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) traded up 1.16% at $161.71. The stock’s 52-week range is $102.53 to $162.20, another new high set this afternoon. Volume was about 10% lower than the daily average of around 27 million shares. The company got a boost as Warren Buffett’s portfolio added more shares.

The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded up 0.81% at $239.37. The stock’s 52-week range is $126.31 to $246.49. Volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 3.5 million shares. The company had no specific news.

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) traded up 0.85% at $32.11. The stock’s 52-week range is $29.12 to $34.60. Volume was about 10% below the daily average of around 22 million. The networking giant had no specific news.

Of the Dow stocks, 19 are on track to close higher Tuesday and 11 are set to close lower.

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