Walmart, Apple Buoy DJIA on Thursday

July 13, 2017 by Paul Ausick

July 13, 2017: Markets opened higher again Thursday following an unexpected increase in the producer price index and a slightly higher-than-expected report on jobless claims. Most sectors posted gains today with telecom as the big loser. WTI crude oil for August delivery settled at $46.08 a barrel, up 1.3% on the day. August gold dropped 0.2% on the day to settle at $1,217.30. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded up 0.11% for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 0.21%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.22%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Thursday was Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) which traded up 1.68% at $75.18. The stock’s 52-week range is $65.28 to $80.47. Volume was about 40% below the daily average of around 8.9 million. The company had no specific news, but upbeat second-quarter guidance from Target cast a large shadow in Thursday’s retail sector. https://247wallst.com/retail/2017/07/13/target-stock-gets-a-boost-on-improved-guidance/

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) traded up 1.46% at $147.87. The stock’s 52-week range is $96.42 to $156.65. Volume was about 33% below the daily average of about 27 million shares. The company had no specific news Thursday.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) traded up 1.28% at $230.30. The stock’s 52-week range is $155.37 to $255.15. Volume was less than half the daily average of around 3.5 million shares. The company relaxed its dress code for tech employees. That’s got to be worth something.

The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) traded up 0.81% at $153.83. The stock’s 52-week range is $119.20 to $160.86. Volume was less than half the daily average of around 4.3 million shares. The company had no specific news Thursday.

Of the Dow stocks, 15 are on track to close higher Thursday and 15 are set to close lower.

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