Heavy Volume: Merck (NYSE:MRK), Xerox (NYSE:XRX), SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK)) and Pulte(NYSE:PHM)

Today’s heavy gainers include Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), Xerox Corporation (NYSE:XRX), SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) and PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM).  Read on for more information.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) fired up some heavy volume near the end of the morning session to finish up the day with 41M shares traded, up well over 2X average daily volume of 15.7M shares.  Shares closed strong at $35.46 per share (+$1.69/+5.00) after news of the impact of the healthcare reform.

Xerox Corporation (NYSE:XRX) gapped up out the gates and finished on massive volume for the day, 5X average daily volume!  79M shares passed the trading floor today, versus the meager 14.6M for average daily volume.  Shares were strong today as they finished at $11.32 (+$0.87/+8.33%).  It seems the raised outlook for the company gave it some wings today. 

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) also had strong day as it made strong progress throughout the day to close at $44.61 a share (+$2.39/+5.66%).  Just over 2X average daily volume traded hands with 21M shares going today versus 10M average.  It seems the profit announcement has helped boost the shares higher.

PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) had a strong volume and price day as shares shot up 5.69% to $13.19 (+$0.71) on close to 3X average daily volume of 19M versus 7M.  It seems the strong new home sales have given Pulte the boost they needed.