Today is packed to the brim with economic reports for investors
After Tuesday saw the Dow and S&P 500 close the session at record highs, stocks pulled back on Wednesday while traders processed the latest batch of unemployment data. Specifically, jobless claims came in at 778,000 on the week last week which was much higher than analysts' predications. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 29,872.47) shed 173.8 points, or 0.6% on the day on Wednesday. The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,629.65) fell 0.2%, for the day. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 12,094.40) gained 0.5% for the day. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 21.25) fell 1.8% for the day on Wednesday ahead of the Thanksgiving day off.
Today is a half day of trading for investors, still in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday yesterday. The markets will be open from 9:30 a.m. ET until 1:00 p.m. ET. There are no further earnings reports due out today and there will be no major economic data slated to be released during the half-day trading session today.
In case you missed here, here are some highlights from Wednesday's jam-packed trading session:
Looking ahead to next week, investors will get little chance to breathe following the holiday shortened week, as they'll be immediately hit with a slew of data to digest as we enter peak holiday season with the beginning of December. Next week starts with home and motor vehicle data, as well as manufacturing reports. While Wednesday looks like a slow day, the Federal Reserve's latest "Beige book" report is due out, as well as the ADP employment report. Thursday comes with the usual jobless claims data for investors to pore over. Next week will end with even more employment data is due out, in addition to trade deficit data and factory orders.