Early Case of Holiday Blahs for Equities

Trading was sluggish and mostly to the downside in the morning session - likely on quick profit-taking from the Black Friday rally - but capital was re-allocated in the afternoon, as stocks rallied into the close.

Concerns over resolution to US fiscal issues and Europe's finalizing yet another round of financing for Greece kept stocks in the red for almost the entire day, except for the NASDAQ, which was boosted largely on trades in Apple (AAPL), which was up more than three percent on the day.

There was little in the way of economic data or corporate news to move markets, as trading volumes were at low levels.

Simply put, there wasn't even a left-over turkey leg to Friday's rally as traders were quick to pul the sell lever with so many issues overhanging the markets.

The Dow, down as much as 109 points before noon, rallied to close near the best level of the day, which, of course, means nothing.

Things should get more interesting as news of talks between Republicans and Democrats on the "fiscal cliff" issue begin to circulate throughout the week.

Dow 12,967.37, -42.31 (0.33%)
Nasdaq 2,976.78, +9.93 (0.33%)
S&P 500 1,406.29, -2.86 (0.20%)
NYSE Composite 8,197.48, -28.02(0.34%)
NYSE Volume 2,833,759,250
Nasdaq Volume 1,559,037,750
Combined NYSE & NASDAQ Advance - Decline: 2636-2880
Combined NYSE & NASDAQ New highs - New lows: 124-40
WTI crude oil: 87.74, -0.54
Gold: 1,749.60, -1.80
Silver: 34.14, +0.021