We're following the market and industry news to provide information relevant to your investments. (Updated daily after market close.)

• Markets finished slightly higher Friday on light trading volume. Equities in Europe and Asia were broadly higher as well, continuing the recent positive tone across global markets. The technology and health care sectors led the way, reflecting a slightly more defensive sentiment that tends to favor areas tied to long-term growth. Energy and financials lagged on the day, following strong outperformance in recent weeks as cyclical investments have rallied on the vaccine news. Treasury yields were down modestly, as were gold and oil prices.
• With markets closing at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time and no major economic-data releases on Friday, the focus remained primarily on the balance between optimism around the vaccine-induced recovery next year and the current challenges stemming from rising case counts and renewed shutdown measures in certain areas. Black Friday store-traffic measures didn't get the traditional attention given the unique circumstances this year. Instead, online shopping trends will be in focus in the coming days and weeks, gauging the health of the consumer as holiday shopping season commences. The early read was positive and reflective of the shift in shopping habits, with reports that Thanksgiving Day online sales rose more than 20% versus last year. Elevated unemployment and the ongoing health care crisis pose headwinds for overall holiday shopping, but we think household spending will set the pace for an enduring economic expansion through next year.
• Equities logged a gain for the holiday-shortened week as vaccine optimism outweighed shorter-term concerns. U.S. stocks are on pace for one of the best months on record amid a push to new highs that included the Dow reaching 30,000 for the first time. We think the longer-term outlook remains positive for stocks, but investors should expect spurts of volatility as we turn the page on 2020.