The markets traded relatively flat today as was expected. Leading up to the Christmas holiday it is common for markets to trade calm and for volume to be light. What traders were left today did note that the Dow continues to struggle with the much publicized 20,000 number. The S&P 500 remained in a range all week and will close out the week with a small loss. Volume was also light here going into the holiday. The Nasdaq 100 also was range bound today with a small gain. Volume was light and is likely to stay that way.
As for stocks there wasn't much that stood out today. The retail sector (NYSE: XRT) continued to sell off into the end of the week losing about 3.5%. Most of the retail names were hit to some degree as the sell off was broad based.
Going into next week the focus will likely still be on the Dow breaking 20,000. Monday the US markets are closed and will re-open again on Tuesday. Investors will have some news to weigh as the consumer confidence numbers will come out early Tuesday. Other than that investors expect trading volume to be light for the first part of the week.