Stocks Weekly Forecast

      This week will be a wacky one. With the different trading hours, and Christmas the markets will be in a bit of confusion with the fiscal cliff and good economic data. Another crucial week is in place as Christmas week and the last full week of December trading comes near, so does the fiscal cliff. With 8 days left until the cliff, will congress come to a deal in the last days? Well that might be unclear but here is what to expect from the markets this week.

      This week's market forecast.

- Last week was surprisingly good, ending in gains throughout on hopes of a deal, and the market really held positive gains until Boehner's plan B fell through and led to the markets dip low and cut the gains from the week. But all in all the week was not a downer.

- As usual the week will be filled with the fiscal cliff concerns, with Obama and Boehner optimistic about a deal; they might be talking up the markets for a gain Monday, but the market may not buy it.

- It'll be an interesting week as Christmas Eve brings shorter hours to the markets Monday. The markets are closed on Tuesday.

-No big earnings should be coming out this week as the big earnings for most companies will be in January.

- This week we will hope for a miracle to get a deal done about the fiscal cliff. With a shortened week and light economic data, the focus will be almost entirely on the fiscal cliff.

- The housing reports should look good as well as consumer data. The biggest sector in question should be the retailers as they will gain from a good holiday season.

      So what should you do? With the last trading session of the year coming up do you sell your gains? Or stay in and hope for the best? Well with all of the questions asked, and such a crucial week in Washington here, if you normally sell your gains at the end of the year, then you might want to do that if we go over the cliff. If we don't the market is expected to stay afloat and rise, as well as the economy. The housing market would be something to invest in sooner or later. So go with the news in Washington and prepare for the worst if we go over the cliff and no deal gets done, but if a deal gets done be an opportunist and take advantage.