August 18, 2015: Markets opened lower on Tuesday even following a solid report on new U.S. housing starts. That was the only significant data released today, so the market sought direction from earnings reported heavy hitters like Home Depot and Walmart. But earnings were mixed and trading was on the light side. Crude oil settled up about 1.8% and gold slipped slightly to $1,116.90 per ounce on Comex. Shortly before the closing bell the DJIA traded down 0.21% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.30%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 0.65%.
The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Tuesday was Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) which traded down 3.49% at $69.40. The stock’s 52-week range is $69.24 to $90.97, and the low was posted today. Trading volume was about two and a half times the daily average of around 7.6 million. The company reported disappointing results and cut its outlook this morning.
The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) traded down 1.90% at $106.98. The stock’s 52-week range is $78.54 to $122.08. About 10 million shares traded hands today, around 25% below the daily average of about 8 million. The company’s stock was downgraded at Wells Fargo today.
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) traded lower by 1.93%% at $28.27. The stock’s 52-week range is $22.49 to $30.31. Trading volume was about 15% above the daily average of around 23.6 million. The company had no specific news today.
Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) traded down 1.09% at $77.92. The stock’s 52-week range is $76.33 to $100.31. Trading volume was about 35% below the daily average of around 11.7 million. The company had no specific news today, but lagging crude oil prices are doing any oil company any favors.
Of the Dow 30 stocks 19 are set to close lower today and 11 are on track to close higher.
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