The week ahead on Wall Street is expected to be quiet with many market players taking time off for the holidays.
Stock markets in the United States and Europe will be closed Monday for the Christmas holiday, with trading resuming on a normal schedule Tuesday.
While many investors have already closed their books for the year, the next few trading days could determine whether the major indexes end 2011 with gains or losses.
"Equity markets have one last chance this coming week to end the year in the black," Paul Edelstein and Nigel Gault, economists at IHS Global Insight, wrote in a note to clients.
The broad S&P 500 index edged back into positive territory last week, and the Dow is up 6.2% for the year. But the technology sector has lagged, with the Nasdaq down about 1.3% so far in 2011.
Trading volumes are typically below average at this time of year. But those traders who are in the market in the week ahead will have a few economic reports to set the tone.
