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August 22, 2017: Markets opened higher Tuesday, again lacking any significant economic news. The Fed’s annual Jackson Hole conference has started and Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen will give a wrap up speech that analysts and traders with read for directional signs. The tech and materials sectors posted the day’s biggest gains. WTI crude oil for September delivery settled at $47.64 a barrel, up 0.6% on the contract’s last trading day. December gold dropped 0.4% on the day to settle at $1,291.00. Equities were headed for a higher close shortly before the bell as the DJIA traded up 0.93%for the day, the S&P 500 traded up 1.04%, and the Nasdaq Composite traded down 1.42%.

The DJIA stock posting the largest daily percentage gain ahead of the close Tuesday was Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) which traded up 1.91% at $31.27. The stock’s 52-week range is $29.12 to $34.60. Volume was about 10% below to the daily average of around 21 million shares. The company had no specific news Tuesday.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) traded up 1.88% at $115.73. The stock’s 52-week range is $79.93 to $115.84, and the high was posted this afternoon. Volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 4.1 million shares. The company had no specific news.

The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) traded up 1.68% at $102.87. The stock’s 52-week range is $90.32 to $116.10. Volume was about 25% below the daily average of around 5.6 million. The median and entertainment giant had no specific news.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) traded up 1.68% at $159.84. The stock’s 52-week range is $102.53 to $162.51. Volume was about about 40% below the daily average of around 27 million shares. The company had no specific news.

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