Despite Shortened Week, Investors Eye The Market With Econ Data Incoming

Monday is a “check the box” session: A trading day wedged between a holiday and a weekend where the market is only open because rules forbid having it close for more than 72 straight hours. But later in the week come some pretty key data, including monthly payrolls.

Before that, we need to get through Monday. It’s a shortened trading day, with the stock market closing at 1 p.m. ET. Nevertheless, there are reasons to tune in between the weekend cookouts and the Tuesday fireworks, including ISM data and June car and truck sales.

Still, it’s never a good idea to ignore jobs data. Recall that the May report failed to meet Wall Street’s expectations, with nonfarm payroll employment rising just 138,000. The headline number definitely disappointed, though there were signs of strength elsewhere.

Looking at other data that came out Friday, Chicago PMI crushed expectations, hitting 65.7 in June, up from 59.4 in May. That’s the highest reading in three years, and shows strength coming out of the Midwest economy. Monday’s ISM index is the next marker for manufacturing activity, so keep watch to see if it reflects more widespread spark, or if the Chicago number ends up looking like more of a regional factor. The ISM was 54.9 in April.

What To Watch in Shortened Week

Bond Fire

Halfway There

This weekend might be a good time to dust off those financial statements and make sure the plans you had going into the year haven't gotten out of whack due to the market action. Remember the old adage not to spend more time planning your vacation than you spend on your investment plans.

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