Core Viewpoint - The week leading up to Christmas is expected to be quiet for investors, with no earnings reports and only a few economic data releases scheduled, primarily those delayed due to the recent U.S. government shutdown [1]. Economic Reports - The week will start on Monday, Dec. 22, with no significant economic reports scheduled [2]. - On Tuesday, Dec. 23, the delayed third-quarter GDP report and October's durable goods orders will be released, along with consumer confidence data [2]. Market Schedule - Markets will close early at 1:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 24, in observance of Christmas Eve, with the early release of Thursday's usual jobs data [3]. - Markets will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday, and Friday, Dec. 26, is expected to conclude the week quietly [3].

Group 1 - The upcoming employment and inflation reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are expected to provide insights into the economic situation, but analysts warn that the delayed data may be biased and only partially reflect the economy's health [1][2] - The Federal Reserve recently voted to lower interest rates to a three-year low, revealing deep divisions within the central bank regarding whether to prioritize a weak job market or rising inflation [1][2] - The unprecedented government shutdown has exacerbated uncertainty, as data collection was paused, leading to delays and cancellations of key reports, complicating policymakers' understanding of the economy [1][2] Group 2 - The upcoming employment data will cover November and part of October, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report will only include November data, with October's report canceled [2] - Analysts indicate that the forthcoming employment and inflation data may contain biases due to the shutdown and necessary methodological adjustments, making it difficult to draw significant conclusions from the data for October, November, or December [2] - There is notable disagreement within the Federal Reserve regarding the extent and pace of potential interest rate cuts, particularly influenced by employment data, which could significantly impact future monetary policy [2]

Group 1 - The credibility of economic data, particularly employment and CPI reports, has significantly declined, leading to increased uncertainty in market reactions [1][2][3] - Employment reports have been repeatedly revised downward, causing skepticism among economists regarding the accuracy of initial data releases [2] - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data collection has become less reliable due to staffing issues, resulting in a higher reliance on estimates rather than actual price checks [3] Group 2 - Wall Street has adapted to the data uncertainty by applying a "revision premium," anticipating that initial data will be corrected in the future [4] - The rise of alternative data sources, such as satellite imagery and credit card transaction analysis, has provided traders with independent verification opportunities [4] - The Federal Reserve's acknowledgment of declining data coverage has raised concerns about its ability to make accurate decisions based on potentially flawed data [4] Group 3 - The ongoing crisis of data credibility highlights the importance of data quality over quantity in a data-driven financial environment [5] - The financial market's ability to handle bad news is challenged by the prevalence of poor-quality data, emphasizing the need for reliable economic indicators [5]