Important points
Markets will trade with reduced hours during the Christmas holiday week, with all markets closed on Wednesday due to the holiday and reduced trading hours on Christmas Eve.
Investors will be watching reports on consumer confidence, new home sales, durable goods orders, new jobless claims, international trade, retail inventories and more. There are very few financial results scheduled.
Monday, December 23rd
Consumer confidence index (December)
Anavex Life Sciences (AVXL) Reports Earnings
Tuesday, December 24th
Durable goods orders (November)Newly built home sales (November)The stock market closes at 1pm ETThe bond market closes at 2pm ET.
Wednesday, December 25th
Thursday, December 26th
Number of new unemployment insurance claims (week ending December 21st)
Friday, December 27th
Preliminary international trade balance (November)Advance retail inventory (November)Advance wholesale inventory (November)
Christmas holiday shortens trading week
The shortened holiday week will mean fewer trading opportunities for investors. The market will be closed on Wednesday due to Christmas. On Tuesday, the stock market will close at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time, and the bond market will close at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Despite the shortened week, several economic indicators are expected to be released, including the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index on Monday. The labor-sensitive survey comes as consumers recently reported feeling better about the economy following the election. Fed officials are paying close attention to consumer inflation expectations, which could receive even more attention after the Fed lowers its outlook for a Dec. 18 rate cut.
On Tuesday, investors will receive Census Bureau data on new home sales and durable goods orders. The report on new home sales comes after similar data showed an increase in existing home sales in November. The durable goods orders report will provide insight into the health of U.S. manufacturing.
New jobless claims on Thursday reflected the upward trend in the unemployment rate that Fed officials have been closely monitoring. On Friday, investors will be able to see inventory levels at retailers and wholesalers, so they can learn whether product sellers are expecting an increase in activity.
After limited reporting during the holiday week, New York-based pharmaceutical company Anavex Life Sciences will report its quarterly results on Monday.
