The Week In Review

12/23/16

'Twas two nights before Christmas, when all through the trading house,

Not a sentient creature was stirring about, no one clicking their mouse;

 

A few algorithms ran up and down,

But the day's action was decidedly rangebound;

 

Biotechnology lifted the health care sector (+0.8%) and energy (-0.2%) retreated despite an uptick in crude (+0.2%; $53.03/bbl),

But the S&P 500 (+0.1%) settled just above its flat line, because to do otherwise on this day would just be rude;

 

The daytraders were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Dow 20,000 danced in their heads;

 

The industrial sector (+0.1%) eked out a slim gain,

Even though the President-elect took to Twitter again;

 

He took aim at the high cost of the F-35 fighter jet,

And his comments made some Lockheed Martin (LMT 249.54, -3.26) shareholders sweat;

 

Shares of LMT surrendered just over a percent, But that did not stop the industrial sector from registering a weekly ascent (+0.6%);

 

Credit Suisse (CS 14.85, -0.08) and Deutsche Bank (DB 18.63, +0.09) agreed to settle with a U.S. regulator,

But the financial sector (+0.1%) spent the entire day near its equator;

 

Just like stocks, the Treasury market was also range-bound,

Though the 10-yr note did pick up some ground (-1 bp to 2.54%);

 

A couple of datapoints crossed the wires today,

But neither New Home Sales (592,000; Briefing.com consensus 573,000) nor Michigan Sentiment (98.2; Briefing.com consensus 98.2) received much play;

 

Bond and equity markets will be closed on Monday,

Which should allow everyone to really enjoy the Christmas Sunday.

 

Of course other holidays will begin this weekend in parallel,

And with that in mind, the staff at Briefing.com would like to wish you all well.

 

Russell 2000 +20.6% YTD

Dow Jones Industrial Average +14.4% YTD

S&P 500 +10.8% YTD

Nasdaq Composite +9.1% YTD