Market Watch 12/02/2009

Stock Market Closing Prices - 12/2/09

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close - 10452.68 -18.90
Nasdaq Stock Market Close - 2185.03 +9.22
S&P 500 Close - 1109.24 +0.38

Commodities Closing Prices - 12/2/09

Gold Close – 1218.40
Oil Close - 76.66
Natural Gas Close - 4.53

Most stocks finished higher after the Fed said regional economic activity has generally improved since its last snapshot in October. The central bank said consumers have increased spending even as employment and commercial real estate remain weak.

Gold surged to a record $1,218.40 an ounce before settling at $1,213.
Oil fell $1.77 to settle at $76.60 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after the Energy Department said demand for gasoline fell during the Thanksgiving week, when gas sales usually rise because of holiday travel.

The next two days will be rich with economic data and could be causing investors to get cautious. Things kick off tomorrow with initial claims followed by the big employment report on Friday.