Bulls took charge this holiday shortened trading week sending the four key indices up over 3%, albeit on light volume. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (chart) closed the week at 13009.68, the Nasdaq (chart) 2966.85, the S&P 500 (chart) 1409.15, and the small-cap Russell 2000 (chart) finished the week above 800. This after weeks of incessant selling pressure which created extreme oversold conditions. What also boosted equities this past week was the kickoff to the 2012 holiday shopping season and early reports of long lines and busy shopping malls.

The week ahead promises to be volatile as politics once again takes center stage. Congress and the President will meet to negotiate and hopefully move towards a resolution of the fiscal cliff dilemma facing our country. Although the fiscal cliff scenario continues to grab headlines, I am also keeping a close eye on the geopolitical backdrop out of the middle east and Europe. To me all of the above is enough risk to not get too comfortable with last weeks rally and to have protective stops in any and all positions. Good luck to all.

Have a great weekend 🙂

~George