Stocks Stay on Storm Watch

The last few weeks of the year are often about mopping up and moving on. But this December seems to be more about mopping, because moving beyond the market's turmoil likely won't be in the cards anytime soon.

Traders should see continued volatility in the coming week as big brokers report fourth-quarter earnings and economic data shed light on two key concerns: consumer spending and inflation. Moreover, those reports will converge with a trial run for the Fed's new liquidity-boosting plan.

"It's going to take time flesh out these problems," says Randy Diamond, a trader at Miller Tabak. "The end of this year is really about preventing the dam from overflowing with bad news." ...