Start of a New Year of Trading, and Jobs Report From December

Here’s what to expect in the week ahead:

MARKETS

The question for financial markets in 2018 is whether they can continue to chalk up big gains. Most markets around the world will be closed on Monday, as traders get an extra day of rest. Across much of the United States, 2018 will begin with a continuation of unusually cold temperatures, according to the National Weather Service. Zach Wichter

SMALL BUSINESS

On Monday, recreational marijuana will become legal in California, the eighth state to legalize the drug. But because marijuana still does not have legal standing with the federal government, it can be difficult for marijuana start-ups to get funding from banks, or generally to conduct business as usual. Zach Wichter

ECONOMY

The Federal Reserve was full of optimism at the end of 2017. The Fed raised its benchmark interest rate at its final meeting of the year and issued a revised economic forecast predicting faster growth in 2018, citing the effects of a major federal tax cut. The Fed also said it did not anticipate raising interest rates more quickly in response to faster growth. The question is why the Fed is willing to let the good times roll. The minutes of the December…

Continue reading at nytimes.com