Dow stocks hitting 52 week highs include McDonald’s (MCD) and Microsoft (MSFT). There are no Dow stock 52 week lows.

The Market

Premarket today, the Dow was indicated to open down -17 points.

Wednesday the Dow was up +16.02 (+0.05%) at 33,446.26.

Year-to-date the Dow is up +9.28%.

There were 16 Dow stocks up Wednesday.

The Dow stock winners Wednesday were led by JPMorgan (JPM) 154.93 (+1.57%), Apple (AAPL) 127.90 (+1.34%) and Intel (INTC) 66.25 (+1.05%).

The Dow stock losers Wednesday were led by Disney (DIS) 187.56 (-1.14%), Boeing (BA) 252.58 (-1.02%) and Dow (DOW) 63.99 (-0.94%).

Unemployment insurance weekly claims in the week ending April 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 744,000, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 9,000 from 719,000 to 728,000. The 4-week moving average was 723,750, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 2,250 from 719,000 to 721,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending March 27, unchanged from the previous week’s revised rate. The previous week’s rate was revised down by 0.1 from 2.7 to 2.6 percent. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending March 27 was 3,734,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week’s revised level. This is the lowest level for insured unemployment since March 21, 2020 when it was 3,094,000. The previous week’s level was revised down by 44,000 from 3,794,000 to 3,750,000. The 4-week moving average was 3,862,000, a decrease of 105,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised down by 10,750 from 3,978,500 to 3,967,750. The total number of continued weeks claimed for benefits in all programs for the week ending March 20 was 18,164,588, a decrease of 50,862 from the previous week. There were 3,443,666 weekly claims filed for benefits in all programs in the comparable week in 2020.

President Biden is expected to unveil a series of executive actions on Thursday addressing gun violence after a spate of mass shootings. While delivering his first major steps to crack down on firearms since taking office, the president is also set to nominate gun-control advocate and ex-federal agent David Chipman as ATF director, according to senior Biden administration officials. Those officials said the Justice Department would issue a new proposed rule to require buyers of homemade guns, often fashioned from parts and lacking serial numbers, to undergo background checks.

President Biden also said Wednesday he’s willing to negotiate on a proposed corporate tax rate hike to 28% to help pay for his more than $2 trillion infrastructure plan. “I’m willing to listen,” the president said. However, Biden faces pressure from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who has already come out against a 28% corporate rate. In a 50-50 Senate, Manchin’s vote could make all the difference. The West Virginia lawmaker said Wednesday he’s opposed to a process that makes it easier to pass bills without Republican support.

European stocks are mostly higher and Asian markets ended mostly higher.

The national average price of gasoline is down two-tenths of a cent at $2.870 per gallon.

Earnings Reports

Goldman Sachs (GS) reports earnings on 4/14/2021 before the market open.

JPMorgan (JPM) reports earnings on 4/14/2021 before the market open.

UnitedHealth (UNH) reports earnings on 4/15/2021 before the market open.

Coca Cola (KO) reports earnings on 4/19/2021 before the market open.

IBM (IBM) reports earnings on 4/19/2021 after the market close.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reports earnings on 4/20/2021 before the market open.

Travelers (TRV) reports earnings on 4/20/2021 before the market open.

Today’s Featured Dow Stock

Intel (INTC)

Intel (INTC) 66.25 (+1.25%) is up +32.98% in 2021.

Financial Calendar

8:30 AM ET Jobless Claims

10:30 AM ET EIA Natural Gas Report

11:00 AM ET 3-Month Bill Announcement

11:00 AM ET 6-Month Bill Announcement

11:00 AM ET 3-Yr Note Announcement

11:00 AM ET 10-Yr Note Announcement

11:00 AM ET 30-Yr Bond Announcement

11:30 AM ET 4-Week Bill Auction

11:30 AM ET 8-Week Bill Auction

12:00 PM ET Jerome Powell Speaks

4:30 PM ET Fed Balance Sheet