The Market On Thursday

Good morning. It is a surprising 44 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. As you know today is the winter solstice, but the good news is that from here until June, the days get longer and brighter.

At 8:00 a.m. futures are moderately higher, the dollar is down or flat against major world currencies, and oil is priced higher.

Investors will be looking at lots of economic data today, and considering trading volume is low it could get bouncy. Soon we get the third and final reading on the third quarter GDP. When its the third, its final. This is followed by the weekly first time layoffs number.

I'm not sure what to make of the consumer sentiment data. I mean how exactly does "pissed off" play into Wall Street?

CNN: Stocks: Eyes on economy

...swings are likely to continue as trading volume remains light going into the holidays.


Reports on consumer sentiment and leading economic indicators are also on tap after the market opens.


Oil for January delivery rose 25 cents to $98.92 a barrel.