June 16, 2015: Markets opened lower on Tuesday but quickly turned northward and ended up with a decent gain today. The industrial sector was soft today but traded above the break-even line just before the close. A good report on new building permits took some of the sting out of the decline in new home construction starts. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded up 0.57% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.53%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.49%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Tuesday was UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) which traded up 2.12% at $121.51. The stock’s 52-week range is $77.53 to $123.76. Trading volume totaled about 5.5 million shares, well above the daily average of around 4 million. The company was the subject of speculation about a possible takeover of rival Aetna.

The Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) traded up 1.29% at $79.13. The stock’s 52-week range is $77.10 to $93.89. Trading volume totaled about 6.5 million shares, well below the daily average of more than 8 million. The company is reportedly selling 3 of its businesses to cosmetics firm Coty for $12 billion.

The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) traded up 1.24% at $40.08. The stock’s 52-week range is $39.06 to $45.00. About 9.4 million shares traded hands today, about 30% below the daily average of about 13.7 million. The company had no specific news today.

Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) traded higher by 1.16%% at $104.55. The stock’s 52-week range is $74.25 to $105.50. Trading volume was around 1.9 million shares, well below the daily average of around 3.1million. The company’s stock got a price target boost from $110 to $118 at Stifel this morning. The analysts retained their Buy rating on the stock.

Of the Dow 30 stocks 27 are set to close higher today and just 3 are on track to close lower.

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