Markets
A report on U.S. retail sales at 7:30 a.m. CST is the only item on Friday's official docket. The main interest for traders is apt to be any news of a trade deal with China. Multiple sources have reported a deal is close, but official confirmation remains elusive early Friday. The weather forecast for North and South America will also attract interest heading into the weekend. Late Thursday, the Washington Post reported a deal has been reached to avoid a shutdown of the U.S. government.
Weather
Friday will bring snow and cold to northern areas, rain to the Southeast, and dry conditions with seasonal to above normal temperatures elsewhere. The pattern turns colder over most of the contiguous U.S. during next week.
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