The markets were slightly lower on the day day but optimism was high thanks to positive retail reports. The Dow 30 lost 7 thanks mostly to Apple. The S&P 500 lost 2, and the Nasdaq 100 was also lower on the day, down 23. Trading volume was light and focused in just a few areas of the market. This will likely continue into the year end.

Retail stocks blasted off today thanks to reports of strong holiday sales. The sector saw a bounce of 1.30% on the day with almost every holding in the ETF (XRT  ) being positive on the day. Kohls (KSS  ) was one of the biggest winners of the group with a 5.96% gain on the day, hitting new highs in the process. Macy's (M  ), TJX Companies (TJX  ), and Best Buy (BBY  ) were some of the other great winners in the space for the day with 4.60%, 1.57%, and 1.34% gains respectively.

Apple (AAPL  ) shares sold off 2.54% today which held back the Dow and tech stocks. Some of the suppliers of iPhone parts reported that iPhone X demand was less than expected which caused their stock prices to trade lower in Taiwan. There have been concerns in the states that the new iPhone X was not as desirable to their base due to, among other things, the all glass composite. Despite the rough day, shares are still higher by around 50% on the year.

The oil sector was the other big focus on the day as a report of an explosion in Libya sent oil prices higher by over 2% on the day. Marathon Oil (MRO  ) was one of the many benefactors of the boost in oil prices. The stock gained 2.13% on the day, continuing its impressive, multi-day run up of over 14%. The stock has added this in just the last six trading days.