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March 24, 2017: Markets opened higher Friday but it looks like all three major indexes are headed for down day. With a vote on the President’s healthcare bill looming as a defeat for the Republican-sponsored legislation, the blue chips have posted the biggest drop. Among the sectors, utilities are performing best with materials the big loser. Healthcare stakes are roughly flat on the day. WTI crude oil for May delivery settled at $47.97 a barrel, up 0.6% on the day, but down about 1.7% for the week. April gold added 0.1%% on the day to settle at $1,248.70, up about 1.5% for the week. Equities were headed for a mixed close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded down 0.20% for the day, the S&P 500 traded down 0.03%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.31%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close Friday was The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) which traded down 1.85% at $227.60. The stock’s 52-week range is $138.20 to $255.15. Volume was about 35% above the daily average of around 3.6 million shares. The company had no specific news Friday.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours Inc. (NYSE: DD) traded down 1.08% at $79.70. The stock’s 52-week range is $61.12 to $81.86. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 2.8 million. The company had no specific news.

The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) traded down 1.18% at $175.17. The stock’s 52-week range is $122.35 to $185.71. Volume was about 65% below the daily average of around 3.4 million shares. The company had no specific news Friday.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) traded down 0.76% at $34.03. The stock’s 52-week range is $29.41 to $37.39. Volume was about 20% below the daily average of around 25 million shares. The company had no specific news.

Of the Dow 30 stocks, 9 are on track to close higher Friday and 21 are set to close lower.