While stocks drift higher, the action this week has been in bonds and commodities. Wednesday could see some of the same dynamic as traders watch for news on government stimulus plans and await the Friday jobs report. Meanwhile, the Fed has been revving up the mortgage market, pushing down rates as it buys up paper.   Read More

Investors are watching to see if the "January effect" turns up the heat on stocks Tuesday, after a wishy washy market day Monday.   Read More

Wall Street hopes to continue Friday's rally into the first week of the new year after the Dow closed above 9,000 for the first time in two months. Traders expect more money to be put back to work as investors shop for bargains.   Read More

"They say the first five days of the year are very important, and it would be nice to see it be up," said Todd Leone of Cowen. He expects a quiet day Friday, similar to Wednesday's trading.    Read More

Goodbye 2008, and good riddance. Stocks could drift higher in the final session of the year Wednesday, but volume promises to remain light. There's little expectation much will happen to take away the sting of the year's near 40 percent declines.   Read More

Some traders are still holding out hope that a Santa rally will sweep stocks higher in the final week of the year, though there is no expectation that volume will improve until January. They also caution that a new round of hedge fund redemptions could pound the markets early in the year, dampening any January buying.    Read More

Friday's market promises more of the quiet drift that characterized Wednesdays' shortened session.    Read More

Stocks are trapped in the pre-holiday doldrums and will face some tough economic data ahead of Wednesday's shortened Christmas eve session.   Read More

It sure feels like a holiday on Wall Street but without the merry making. Monday's wishy washy market ended lower and traders said they expect more of the same low volume trading Tuesday.   Read More

The screeching volatility that has been the hallmark of the stock market this year may take a break for the holidays.    Read More