Merck &, Johnson & Johnson Among Stocks Hitting 52-Week Highs Friday

Here are nine stocks that hit 52-week highs:

  • The share price of Merck & (NYSE:MRK) improved today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $43.18. In spite of its performance and peak price of $43.57, the stock was trading on below-average volume. The stock price has risen 1.4% on a volume of 9.7 million shares. Shares have shown some positive movement over the last two months as the price has climbed $5.78 (15.3%) from a price of $37.74 on May 15, 2012. The stock is trading 9.5% above its 50-day moving average and 11.8% above its 200-day moving average.
  • While trading on below-average volume, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) went up today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $68.15. It peaked at $68.64. Shares have gained 1.3% on volume of 5.8 million shares. The stock has been on the rise in the last two months, up $4.96 (7.8%) from a price of $63.61 on May 15, 2012. The stock is trading 4.4% above its 50-day moving average and 5.4% above its 200-day moving average.
  • The share price of Target (NYSE:TGT) increased today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $60.23. In spite of its performance and peak price of $61.50, the stock was trading on below-average volume. While trading at a volume of 3.9 million, the stock price has risen 2.2%. Shares are up over the last two months, having risen $6.13 (11.1%) from a price of $55.08 on May 15, 2012. The stock is trading 5.8% above its 50-day moving average and 8.6% above its 200-day moving average.
  • While trading on below-average volume, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) rose today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $45.07. It peaked at $45.27. Shares are trading at a volume of 3.9 million at a price rise of 1.3%. Share price is up $2.27 (5.3%) from $42.99 on June 13, 2012. The stock is trading 4.5% above its 50-day moving average and 11.1% above its 200-day moving average.
  • The share price of Monsanto (NYSE:MON) went up today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $84.02. In spite of its performance and peak price of $84.08, the stock was trading on below-average volume. The stock is up 1.7% with 1.1 million shares changing hands. Shares have shown some positive movement over the last two months as the price has climbed $11.99 (16.6%) from a price of $72.08 on May 15, 2012. The stock is trading 6.4% above its 50-day moving average and 8.2% above its 200-day moving average.
  • While trading on below-average volume, CenturyTel (NYSE:CTL) climbed today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $40.54. It peaked at $40.87. Shares are up 1.9%, trading at a volume of 2.2 million. Shares have been on an upward trajectory over the past month, rising $3.53 (9.5%) from a price of $37.32 on June 13, 2012. The stock is trading 5.5% above its 50-day moving average and 6.4% above its 200-day moving average.
  • The share price of Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) improved today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $76.24. In spite of its performance and peak price of $76.85, the stock was trading on below-average volume. The stock price has risen 1.3% on a volume of 1.2 million shares. Shares have been on on the rise over the past three months, climbing $8.01 (11.6%) from a price of $68.82 on June 13, 2012. The stock is trading 7% above its 50-day moving average and 11.2% above its 200-day moving average.
  • While trading on below-average volume, Eli Lilly & (NYSE:LLY) increased today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $43.31. It peaked at $43.48. Shares have climbed 1.4% with volume of 1.6 million shares. Over the last three months, the stock has gained $3.39 (8.5%) from a price of $40.06 on April 17, 2012. The stock is trading 3.7% above its 50-day moving average and 6.8% above its 200-day moving average.
  • The share price of Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) rose today, reaching and then surpassing its previous 52-week high of $105.16. In spite of its performance and peak price of $105.76, the stock was trading on below-average volume. While trading at a volume of 547,321, the stock price has risen 1.8%. Share price improved over the last three months, now up $6.85 (6.9%) from $98.59 on April 17, 2012. The stock is trading 4.2% above its 50-day moving average and 8.3% above its 200-day moving average.