Dow stocks at 52 week highs include Exxon Mobil (XOM), 3M (MMM) and UnitedHealth (UNH).There are no Dow stock 52 week lows.

The Market

Premarket today, the Dow was indicated to open down -68 points.

Wednesday the Dow was up +66.77 (+0.37%) at 18,005.05.

Year-to-date the Dow is up +3.33%.

There were 22 Dow stocks up Wednesday.

The Dow stock winners Wednesday were led by UnitedHealth (UNH) +2.53% and Caterpillar (CAT) +1.69%.

The Dow stock losers Wednesday were led by Dupont (DD) -0.54% and Verizon (VZ) -0.44%.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, pointing to sustained strength in the labor market despite a sharp slowdown in hiring last month. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 264,000 for the week ended June 4, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims for the prior week were revised to show 1,000 more applications received than previously reported. Economists had forecast initial claims rising to 270,000 in the latest week. Claims have now been below 300,000, a threshold associated with a strong job market, for 66 straight weeks, the longest streak since 1973. The four-week moving average of claims fell 7,500 to 269,500 last week.

European stocks are lower and Asian markets ended lower.

The national average price of gasoline is down six-tenths of a cent at $2.362 per gallon.

Earnings Reports.

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

Today’s Featured Dow Stock

Coca Cola (KO)

Coca Cola (KO) is up +6.03% year-to-date.

Financial Calendar

0830 ET Weekly initial unemployment claims expected +3,000 to 270,000, previous -1,000 to 267,000. Weekly continuing claims expected -1,000 to 2.171 million, previous +12,000 to 2.172 million.

0830 ET USDA weekly Export Sales.

1000 ET Apr wholesale inventories expected +0.1% m/m, Mar +0.1% m/m. Apr wholesale trade sales expected +1.1% m/m, Mar +0.7% m/m.

1300 ET Treasury auctions $12 billion of 30-year T-bonds.