Coming Week: Hardly a Vacation

While the last weeks of summer are typically lazy, next week will be anything but relaxing for traders who will continue to wrestle with swaying oil prices, the pummeled financial sector and a spate of important economic data.

The major averages were tossed back and forth last week as the woes continued for the financials. Shares of Fannie Mae (FNM Quote) and Freddie Mac (FRE Quote) plummeted more than 40%, and speculation built that a government takeover is imminent.

On the bright side, the dollar strengthened and oil prices held below $120 a barrel. Bulls are keeping their fingers crossed that the greenback will keep recovering and hold crude futures in check. ...