Markets This Week: Holiday Trading Hours & Key Economic Reports

As the holiday season kicks into full swing, investors are in for a shorter trading week. With Christmas falling on Wednesday, December 25, the markets will be closed for the day, and trading hours on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24) will be shortened. Despite the holidays, key economic reports are scheduled to be released, and they could give us a clearer picture of how the economy is doing.

Ad

What to Know for the Week

• Markets Close Early and for Christmas: Stock markets will close at 1 p.m. ET on Christmas Eve (Tuesday) and will be closed all day on Christmas (Wednesday).

• Key Reports to Watch: Investors will be closely watching reports on consumer confidence, new home sales, jobless claims, and durable goods orders. These numbers will help us understand how consumers are feeling, the state of the housing market, and the job market's strength.

  
  

  Advertisement

Monday, Dec. 23 – Consumer Confidence Index

The Conference Board will release its monthly Consumer Confidence Index for December. This report measures how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are about the economy. Given the recent political changes, it will be interesting to see how consumers are feeling heading into the new year. The Federal Reserve pays attention to this data because it helps them assess inflation expectations and adjust their policies accordingly.

Also, pharmaceutical company Anavex Life Sciences (AVXL) will report its earnings on Monday.

Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Economic Data and Early Market Close

• Durable Goods Orders (November): This report tracks orders for items expected to last a long time, like cars and appliances. It’s a good indicator of how strong the manufacturing sector is.

• New Home Sales (November): This data will provide an update on how the housing market is doing, showing whether new home sales are picking up. This is important after existing home sales were higher in November.

• Early Market Close: Stock markets will close at 1 p.m. ET, and bond markets will close at 2 p.m. ET, so there will be limited trading on Christmas Eve.

Wednesday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Holiday

The markets will be closed for Christmas, and no economic reports are scheduled for the day.

Thursday, Dec. 26 – Initial Jobless Claims

• Initial Jobless Claims (Week ending Dec. 21): The Labor Department will release data on jobless claims, showing how many people filed for unemployment benefits. This is important because it gives us a snapshot of the job market and any signs of weakness. A rise in claims could point to an economic slowdown, while a drop would suggest the labor market is still strong.

Friday, Dec. 27 – Trade and Inventory Data

• Advance International Trade Balance (November): This report will show whether the U.S. has been importing more or exporting more in recent months. A trade deficit could be a sign of economic challenges, while a surplus could signal growth.

• Retail and Wholesale Inventories (November): This data will show how much stock retailers and wholesalers have on hand. High inventory levels might mean businesses are preparing for an uptick in demand as the year ends.

A Quiet Week but Important Updates

While the markets will be quieter than usual during the holiday week, the data set to be released could provide key insights into the economy. Consumer confidence, housing data, jobless claims, and trade reports will give investors a sense of where things are headed as we move toward the new year.

Despite the holiday breaks, this week’s economic reports will still give us valuable information about the state of the economy. From consumer confidence to housing data and jobless claims, these updates will help investors prepare for 2025. Keep an eye on these reports as they could shape market sentiment in the final days of the year.

Also Read: Wall Street Braces for Fed’s Interest Rate Shift and 2025 Economic Challenges