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- The major averages edge lower towards the close, making the Nasdaq (COMP.IND) finish -0.1%. The S&P (SP500) closed -0.3% and the Dow (DJI) -0.2%.
- Four of the 11 S&P sectors ended in the green in a mixed trading day. Real Estate and Utilities led the way, while Info Tech and Energy were the weakest sectors.
- Investor sentiment is closing out 2021 on a bullish note, with the latest AAII survey showing 37.7% looking for stocks to rise in the next six months, the highest level since mid-November.
- The neutral camp has 31.8%, with 30.5% bearish.
- Rates ease back a little after a jump yesterday that saw the 10-year Treasury yield top its 50-day moving average of 1.52%.
- The 10-year is down 4 basis points to 1.51%.
- Jobless claims confounded economists' expectations, falling back below 200K for last week.
- The Chicago PMI rose a little more than expected to December to 63.1, compared with forecasts for 62.
- Among active stocks, Biogen is one of the worst performers in the S&P after Samsung Biologics denied a report that it was interested in a takeover.