January 3, 2016 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 closed the year slightly negative, snapping a four year streak of positive returns. Unfortunately, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also suffered the same fate. On the other hand, the NASDAQ was able to post modest gains on the year.

The VIX actually closed the week higher, finishing 2015, above 18.

Crude oil futures prices dropped significantly again for the second straight year. The futures prices are currently trading well below $40 per barrel. Gold futures prices finished the year relatively flat.

We should get a sneak peek of what 2016 will be like on Wednesday, as the FOMC releases the minutes from their last meeting. With that said, volumes should slowly start picking back up.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
4 January 2016- ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET
6 January 2016- International Trade 8:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
7 January 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 January 2016- MON
7 January 2016- FINL, KBH, STZ, WBA, BBBY, HELE, SNX, TCS

Conferences:
5 January 2016- Citigroup Internet, Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 1/7), Goldman Sachs Healthcare Conference
6 January 2016- Consumer Electronics Show (runs till 1/9), Goldman Sachs Energy Conference (runs till 1/7)