Market Watch 12/28/2009

Stock Market Closing Prices - 12/28/09

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close - 10547.08 +26.98
Nasdaq Stock Market Close - 2291.08 +5.39
S&P 500 Close - 1127.78 +1.30

Commodities Closing Prices - 12/28/09

Gold Close - 1105.00
Oil Close - 78.52
Natural Gas Close - 5.99

Major indexes edged higher in light trading Monday after sales figures showed shoppers spent more freely this holiday season, a sign that consumers are feeling better about the economy.

Figures from MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which track all forms of payment, show retail sales rose 3.6 percent from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, after dropping during that time last year. Adjusting for an extra shopping day between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the number was closer to a 1 percent gain.

Consumer spending is one of the biggest drivers of economic growth and is important for a sustained recovery.

Meanwhile, commodities prices rose as the dollar fell, giving a boost to energy and materials stocks.

Airline stocks fell, helping to keep the market's gains in check, after two security incidents on Northwest flights over the weekend. The Dow Jones transportation average fell 0.6 percent.

With fewer traders in the market due to the holidays, and without any bad news, analysts say stocks are likely to drift higher during the final days of 2009.