Dow stocks at 52 week highs include JPMorgan (JPM) and Goldman Sachs (GS). Dow stock 52 week lows include Wal-Mart (WMT).

The Market

Premarket today, the Dow was indicated to open up +21 points.

Wednesday, the Dow was up +236.36 (+1.33%) at 18000.40

Year-to-date the Dow is up +0.99%%.

There were 30 Dow stocks up Wednesday.

The Dow stock winners Tuesday were led by Visa (V) +2.47%, Microsoft (MSFT) +2.10%, Caterpillar (CAT) +2.02% and Goldman Sachs (GS) +1.97%.

There were no Dow stock losers Wednesday.

Nike (NKE) rose in after-hours trading after it announced an eight-year merchandising and marketing partnership with the National Basketball Association.

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose slightly last week, yet remained at a historically low level that points to a healthy job market. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications for jobless aid increased 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 279,000. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose 3,750 to 278,750.

European stocks are higher and Asian markets ended mostly higher.

The national average price of gasoline is up 1.6 cents at $2.761 per gallon.

Earnings Reports.

There are no Dow stocks due to report earnings in the near term.

Today’s Featured Dow Stock

Dupont (DD)

Dupont (DD) is down -5.75% year-to-date.

Financial Calendar

0830 ET Weekly initial unemployment claims expected -1,000 to 275,000, previous -8,000 to 276,000. Weekly continuing claims expected -6,000 to 2.190 million, previous -30,000 to 2.196 million.

0830 ET May retail sales expected +1.2% and +0.8% ex autos, Apr unch and +0.1% ex autos. April retail sales ex auto and gasoline expected +0.5%, Apr unch.

0830 ET May import price index expected +0.8% m/m and -10.0% y/y, Apr -0.3% m/m and -10.7% y/y.

0830 ET USDA weekly Export Sales.

1000 ET Apr business inventories expected +0.2%, Mar +0.1%.

1100 ET Treasury announces amount of 30-year TIPS to be auctioned Jun 18 (previous $9 billion).

1200 ET Q1 household net worth change, Q4 +$1.517 trillion.

1300 ET Treasury auctions $13 billion of 30-year T-bonds.