March 16, 2015: Markets opened higher on Monday as the dollar traded slightly weaker against the euro early. That did not help crude oil prices, hough, which tumbled to a new 52-week low below $43 a barrel before recovering to settle at $43.88 a barrel, the lowest settlement price in 6 years. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 1.20% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 1.27%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 1.09%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Monday was UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) which traded higher by 2.62%% at $118.27. The stock’s 52-week range is $73.61 to $118.69, and the high was posted today. Trading volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 4 million shares. The company had no specific news today.
The Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE: TRV) traded up 2.03% at $108.89. The stock’s 52-week range is $82.51 to $109.07. Trading volume was about equal to the daily average of around 1.9 million shares. The company had no specific news today.
3M Company (NYSE: MMM) which traded up 2.01% at $166.01. The stock’s 52-week range is $130.58 to $170.50. Trading volume was about 35% below the daily average of around 2.3 million shares. The company had no specific news today.
The Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) traded up 2.00% at $83.47. The stock’s 52-week range is $77.29 to $93.89. Trading volume was about 7-times the daily average of around 7.9 million shares. The company is reported to be considering a spinoff of some of its beauty brands, such as CoverGirl, Olay, and Pantene.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 28 are set to close higher today and just 2 are on track to close lower.
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