The holidays, plus a snow storm, conspired to keep the markets churning largely sideways on low trading volume. SPX lost one dollar to close at $1831. RUT, by contrast, gained $5 to close at $1156. Trading volume dropped from yesterday's already low number to 1.7 billion shares of the S&P 500 stocks. Trading volume on the NYSE decreased 11% and also decreased 4% on NASDAQ. Monday should give us a better clue as to this market's direction.

Volatility pulled back by about half a point on VIX, ending the day at 13.8%.

There were no economic data reports of any consequence.

Enjoy the balance of the holidays. It's back to work on Monday!