Weekend Reading: Mixed Bag

Good Sunday morning. Here are some articles and papers worth reading. First, however, a look back at the week that just finished, and a look forward at the week ahead.

It was a mixed week last week for the major markets, with two of the three declining. It also was the first week of losses after five weeks of gains. The Dow and the S&P 500 lost ground, falling 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively, while the Nasdaq gained 0.5%. Click here for the weekly performance.

Opinion is mixed on the coming week, with some feeling like it wouldn't be too surprising to see a flat or even slightly down market as November's large gains soak in. But sentiment remains unchanged that December will see more gains for the markets, even if the first full trading week isn't outstanding. There is a feeling that companies will surprise positively, including bellwether technology firms like Intel (INTC Quote), and that consumers, while bowed somewhat by higher energy prices, are not yet bent. The only potential looming threat to consumers is that it is obvious to anyone paying attention that the largest real estate boom (bubble?) in U.S. history is now over. The consequences will take some time to reveal themselves, however. ...