Stocks finished with a flourish heading into the holidays. The Dow added 176 points today and scored a weekly win, while the both S&P 500 and Nasdaq logged their third-straight weekly losses after rising just above breakeven for the day. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) logged its fifth loss in the last six. This morning's inflation data was the highlight of the day after November's PCE price index came in slightly higher than expected. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 33,203.93) added 0.9% for the week, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,844.82) shed 0.2%. Nasdaq Composite Index (IXIC - 10,497.86) posted a weekly loss of 1.9%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 20.92) lost 7.8% for the week.  

OIL STAYS HOT, GOLD RECLAIMS $1,800

Oil prices climbed today, with all eyes on Russia's rumored drop in exports. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for January delivery added $2.7 or 2.6%, to settle at $79.56 per barrel. For the week, black gold gained 6.9%.

Gold prices settled higher today, rising back above the $1,800 level to finish the week. February-dated gold gained $8.90, or 0.5%, to settle at $1,804.20 per ounce, rising 0.2% for the week.  

More By This Author:

Nasdaq, S&P 500 Eye More Weekly Losses On Core PCE Data
Dow Drops 348 Points As Stocks Resume December Slide
Stocks Extend Selloff As Recession Fears Reemerge