The Market On Thursday

Good morning. It is 17 degrees and sunny here in Upstate NY. It was colder earlier when we went for the puppy dog walk. I had on more layers than an onion, the lbj's, the fleece lined pants, woolen sock, microfiber long sleeve shirt, face mask, etc. It all worked too, I came home with toasty hands and feet. Happy to report that the dog is spent tired and is now sleeping as I type.

At 8:25 a.m. futures are flat, the dollar is mixed, and oil is slightly up.

In a short while we will get the first time unemployment numbers. We are still looking for numbers well below 400,000. Also we will get more information on the housing market.

Recall many investors are on holiday and so trading is limited yet potentially volatile. With Eurozone troubles popping up when least expected, it could go any way. Hopefully calmer minds will prevail and the market can remain at least flat.

CNN: Stocks: Economic reports awaited

...the National Association of Realtors will release the November installment of its Pending Home Sales Index.


Oil for February delivery rose 7 cents to $99.43 a barrel.