Major US stock indexes closed slightly higher as investors refrained from large investments in anticipation of the holiday season.

As shown by the final results of the studies submitted by Thomson-Reuters and Institute of Michigan in December, US consumers felt more optimistic about the economy than last month. According to the data, in December consumer sentiment index rose to 98.2 points compared with a final reading of 93.8 points in November and December preliminary value of 98 points. It was predicted that the index was 98 points.

However, the US Department of Commerce published a report, which showed a much larger-than-expected new home sales growth in the US in November. The report said that the sale of new buildings increased by 5.2% to an annual rate of 592,000 in November, compared with 563,000 in October. Economists had expected new home sales to increase by 3% to 575,000.

DOW index closed mixed components (15 black, 15 red). Most remaining shares increased UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, + 0.77%). Outsider were shares of Microsoft Corporation (MSFT, -0.54%).

Most of the S & P sectors recorded increase. The leader turned conglomerates sector (+ 0.9%). Most of the basic materials sector fell (-0.1%).

Major U.S. stock-indexes slightly lower on Friday as investors held back from making big bets ahead of the holiday season, but the three major indexes were still on track to post weekly gains. U.S. markets are shut for the Christmas holiday on Monday.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (19 of 30). Top gainer - The Procter & Gamble Company (PG, +0.63%). Top loser - Microsoft Corporation (MSFT, -0.91%).

Most of S&P sectors in negative area. Top gainer - Healthcare (+0.6%). Top loser - Utilities (-0.2%).

At the moment:

Dow 19856.00 -17.00 -0.09%

S&P 500 2256.00 -2.75 -0.12%

Nasdaq 100 4934.75 -1.75 -0.04%

Oil 52.81 -0.14 -0.26%

Gold 1133.90 +3.20 +0.28%

U.S. 10yr 2.54 -0.02

The last pre-Christmas session in the US begins exactly as was foretold by contracts on the S&P500. Total cosmetics and changes visible only on the second decimal place say it all.

The Warsaw market also extinguishing the volatility and the WIG20 index is drifting in the area of 1930 points. Investors thoughts are already on Christmas Eve.

U.S. stock-index futures were flat, trading in a quiet mode ahead of a three-day holiday weekend.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei Closed

Hang Seng 21,574.76 -61.44 -0.28%

Shanghai 3,110.00 -29.55 -0.94%

FTSE 7,068.17 +4.49 +0.06%

CAC 4,835.61 +0.98 +0.02%

DAX 11,437.08 -19.02 -0.17%

Crude $52.33 (-1.17%)

Gold $1,132.00 (+0.10%)

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

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FedEx (FDX) initiated with a Buy at Aegis Capital; target $215

The first half of today's session has confirmed that the market today is lack of capital capable of courageous game. The drop in activity is accompanied by a decline in volatility, which froze the WIG20 in the region of 1,930 points. A similar situation we may see in the German market, where the volatility of the DAX index is almost invisible. This style definitely fits the Christmas mood. If we were not yesterday's final bulls rally, probably from the beginning of the session we would have a similar style. We are, however, after the correction of this growth and now further trading hours should already be quiet.

In the middle of today's trading the WIG index was at the level of 1,930 points and the turnover among the largest companies was amounted to PLN 170 million.

WIG20 index opened at 1942.49 points (-0.06%)*

WIG 51527.27 0.20%

WIG30 2241.41 0.24%

mWIG40 4166.68 0.23%

*/ - change to previous close

As could be expected the Warsaw market starts from the renewal of the good mood from the yesterday's session. The WIG20 at the beginning of the session violated Wednesday highs, which means that we are on the highest level since April and the upward phase began in mid-November is continued. This in turn can provide opportunities to test the approach to the level of 2,000 points at the end of the year. Low turnover may foster such a scenario.

After fifteen minutes of trading the WIG20 index was at the level of 1,948 points (+0,24%).

Thursday's session on the New York stock exchange ended with declines in major indices. At the close the Dow Jones Industrial fell by 0.12 percent, the Nasdaq Comp. went down by 0.44 percent and the S&P 500 fell by 0.19 percent. Thus, there is a clear hesitation of the demand when indices are confronted with round levels (DJIA with 20,000 pts., S&P500 with 2300 points and the Nasdaq Composite with 5500 points).

For most markets Friday will be the last session before Christmas, after which most stock markets will close for three days.

On the Warsaw market yesterday ending of the session was dominated by news that the government may move towards partial nationalization of the funds accumulated in open pension funds (i.e. 25%). The market took this statement with increases in stock prices, however, there are still only vague plans and declarations.

Nevertheless this information should help stabilize the market at the end of the year and foster confrontation the WIG20 index with 2000 points level.

European stocks slipped Thursday, as Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA's 11th-hour bid to raise capital failed, dragging financial shares lower. BMPS, the world's oldest lender, had been trying to raise 5 billion euros in new private capital as it struggles under a bad loan burden. Those efforts look to have failed, after the bank said it had lost a key investor-thought to be Qatari-leaving BMPS waiting to hear whether the Italian government will bail it out.

U.S. stocks ended Thursday's thinly-traded preholiday session with modest losses as investors seemed reluctant to bid up prices of indexes that are already hovering near all-time highs. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite booked their first consecutive losses in three weeks, as the "Trump rally" lost momentum over the past few sessions.

Asian markets were broadly lower early Friday, tracking the overnight declines on Wall Street, as participants eased into the holiday season. "You're coming closer to the Christmas holiday," said Hue Lu, senior investment specialist at BNP Paribas Investment Partners. "[Traders] want to bring down the risk. They don't want any surprises."