If history is a guide, stocks should have a decent day. But Korean tensions and financial woes in Europe may weigh on the markets. The week ahead will be important.
All signs indicate that 2011 will be a turning point, even if the industry isn't quite ready for it.
A shootout in Korea shocks global markets, driving the dollar and gold higher. Oil drops. Existing-home sales fall in October. J. Crew will go private in a $3 billion deal.
The market rebounds from early worries about inflation in China and European debt woes. Salesforce.com shares jump 18% after the company boosts its guidance.
Because of Thanksgiving, it's a short week. But earnings are due from Hewlett-Packard, Deere and Tiffany. Look for key reports on the economy, personal income and housing.
Talk of some price controls in China hits commodity prices hard. Wheat falls 7%. Gold has dropped 6% in a week. GM boosts the size of its IPO. Home Depot and Wal-Mart are winners.
The major averages end the day basically flat but sport decent gains for the month. Earnings misses from Chevron and Merck offset gains for Alcoa and Microsoft. GDP grows at an annualized 2%.
The oil companies have seen profits spike as crude oil and natural gas prices have increased.
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2013 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Morningstar Inc. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Morningstar Inc. Quotes delayed by up to 15 minutes, except where indicated otherwise. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by Morningstar Inc.
TOP STOCKS
Plus, after much ado, Softbank is oh-so-close to acquiring Sprint.
MARKET DISPATCHES
The Market Dispatches column has been discontinued. Here's where to find the latest stock and business news on MSN Money, and the latest from market writer Charley Blaine.
FRUGAL COOL
Starting Monday, this site is joining forces with MSN Money Smart Spending. Here's why.
MONEY & POLITICS
Breaking up big banks is an untested solution to the too big to fail problem that attempts to isolate and dismantle large, troubled institutions while protecting the rest of the economy.
SMART SPENDING
These airlines have taken a la carte flying to a new level, charging for everything you can think of and then some.
SMART TAXES
The IRS is struggling to combat identify thieves who file fraudulent tax returns in the names of older residents who don't need to file.
