September 12, 2014: Markets opened lower on Friday as the energy sector and utilities opened weaker. The stronger dollar weakens the crude price and raises Treasury rates which hurts utilities borrowing ability. Both sectors have had a poor quarter so far. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded down 0.44% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.66%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.63%.
The Dow 30 stock posting the biggest percentage loss today was The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) which traded down 1.30% at $41.42 in a 52-week range of $36.83 to $42.57. The company had no news today, but consumer goods was yet another sector that couldn’t get any love today. Trading volume was about 35% below the daily average of around 13 million shares.
Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) traded lower by 1.26% at $95.83 today. The stock’s 52-week range is $84.79 to $104.76. Volume was about 30% below the daily average of around 9.3 million shares. Crude oil tumbled about 0.8% today, sinking the large oil companies.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) traded down 1.20% at $48.42 in a 52-week range of $45.45 to $53.66. Verizon and chief rival AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) will both be hit by delays in shipping the new iPhones. Demand is simply outstripping supply.
Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) traded down 1.08% at $59.44 in a 52-week range of $44.62 to $61.33. The shares were down by 1% yesterday as well. The stock also went ex-dividend yesterday. Trading volume was about 35% below the daily average of 8.2 million shares.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 26 stocks are set to close lower today and just 4 are on track to close higher.
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