Dow stocks hitting 52-week highs include Apple (AAPL), McDonald’s (MCD), Procter & Gamble (PG) and UnitedHealth (UNH). There are no Dow stock 52-week lows.

The Market

Premarket today, the Dow was indicated to open up +204 points.

Thursday the Dow closed down 0.06 (-0.00%) at 35,754.69.

Year-to-date the Dow is up +16.82%.

There were 12 Dow stocks up Thursday.

The Dow stock winners Thursday were led by Walmart (WMT) 138.50 (+1.39%), Walgreens (WBA) 49.17 (+1.38%) and Visa (V) 211.39 (+1.15%).

The Dow stock losers Thursday were led by Intel (INTC) 50.48 (-2.45%), Boeing (BA) 207.56 (-1.64%) and Nike (NKE) 168.10 (-1.26%).

The government said Friday the November consumer price index rose a greater-than-expected 6.8% from last year, the fastest rate since 1982. The Federal Reserve, which holds its final scheduled policy meeting of the year next week, is already expected to adjust to rising price pressures and announce plans to speed up the tapering its massive Covid-era bond buying. That could lay the groundwork for hikes in near-zero percent interest rates, perhaps as soon as spring 2022.

The Senate cleared a key hurdle on the path toward raising the debt ceiling and removing the threat of a default on U.S. debt. Senators voted Thursday to allow Congress to raise the U.S. borrowing limit with a simple majority. The measure, attached to a bill that would prevent automatic Medicare cuts in 2022, now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature. The Senate and House will have to hold separate votes to increase the debt ceiling. Both chambers are expected to hike the limit early next week before a Dec. 15 deadline.

U.S. futures are higher, European stocks are mostly higher and Asian markets ended lower.

The national average price of gasoline is down three-tenths of a cent at $3.335 per gallon.

Earnings Reports

Nike (NKE) reports earnings on 12/20/2021 after the market close.

Today’s Featured Dow Stock

Procter & Gamble (PG)

Procter & Gamble (PG) 153.32 (+0.58%) is up +10.19% in 2021.

Financial Calendar

08:30 AM ET Core CPI (MoM) (Nov)
08:30 AM ET Core CPI (YoY) (Nov)
08:30 AM ET Core CPI Index (Nov)
08:30 AM ET CPI (YoY) (Nov)
08:30 AM ET CPI (MoM) (Nov)
08:30 AM ET CPI Index, n.s.a. (Nov)
08:30 AM ET CPI Index, s.a (Nov)
08:30 AM ET CPI, n.s.a (MoM) (Nov)
08:30 AM ET Real Earnings (MoM) (Nov)
10:00 AM ET Michigan 5-Year Inflation Expectations (Dec)
10:00 AM ET Michigan Consumer Expectations (Dec)
10:00 AM ET Michigan Consumer Sentiment (Dec)
10:00 AM ET Michigan Current Conditions (Dec)
10:00 AM ET Michigan Inflation Expectations (Dec)
11:00 AM ET Cleveland CPI (MoM) (Nov)
13:00 PM ET U.S. Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count
13:00 PM ET U.S. Baker Hughes Total Rig Count
14:00 PM ET Federal Budget Balance (Nov)