While stocks could keep rising, investors are in store for what could be one of the slowest weeks of the year. Case in point: our earnings calendar features zero companies worth monitoring. And while there are a few economic reports to digest in the middle of the week, trading volumes could be muted for the holiday-shortened week -- especially with markets closed on New Year's Day the following Monday. Below is a brief list of some key market events scheduled for the upcoming week.
On Monday, Dec. 25, U.S. markets will be closed for Christmas, and Tuesday, Dec. 26, brings little economic data. But on Wednesday, Dec. 27,traders will digest the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index, consumer confidence stats, and data on pending home sales.
Thursday, Dec. 28, is the busiest day of the week. Jobless claims, the weekly update for domestic crude inventories, and international trade data will all come out. Then on Friday, Dec. 29, the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) will be released.