Christmas Holiday, GDP, Consumer Confidence, Jobless Claims

Traders will get some time off this week with the Christmas holiday ahead, though there is some economic data to watch for in the days to come.

Markets will be closed Thursday and will wrap up early the day before. Stock markets will close at 1 p.m. EST on Wednesday, while bond markets close at 2 p.m. EST.

Investors will still have a handful of economic reports to follow, including a first look at third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP).

Read to the bottom for our calendar of key events—and one more thing.

GDP, Consumer Confidence Data Highlight Holiday-Shortened Week

A trio of reports delayed by the government shutdown are set to be released this week, led by the initial report on third-quarter GDP. 

Initially scheduled for release Oct. 30, the delayed report means that the Bureau of Economic Analysis will only put out two GDP reports for the third quarter two estimates and a final report—rather than its usual three. After Tuesday’s GDP release, which follows second-quarter growth rebounding to 3.8% after a 0.6% decline in the first quarter as tariff threats pushed imports higher, the BEA is scheduled to release the final third-quarter GDP report on Jan. 22.

The report on durable goods orders for October, initially scheduled for a November release, is also set for Tuesday. Other delayed reports coming out that day include the Federal Reserve’s industrial production and capacity utilization data for both October and November.

Tuesday’s December consumer confidence survey comes at its regularly scheduled time. Weekly jobless claims, due Wednesday, will also be in the spotlight following last week’s employment report, which showed that unemployment rose in November. 

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This Week’s Calendar

Monday, Dec. 22

Tuesday, Dec. 23

• Gross Domestic Product – initial estimate (Q3)
• More Data to Watch: Durable-goods orders (October), Industrial production & capacity utilization (November), Consumer confidence (December)

Wednesday, Dec. 24

• Initial jobless claims (Week ended Dec. 20)
• Stock markets close at 1 p.m. EST; bond markets close at 2 p.m. EST

Thursday, Dec. 25

• Stock, bond markets closed for Christmas holiday

Friday, Dec. 26

One More Thing

The holidays are supposed to be a time for peace and happiness, but for many, it’s also a season of debt and financial stress. Investopedia’s Daniel Liberto has more on the impact that holiday spending has on many people’s finances.