For a more comprehensive preview of next week's events, please refer to "The Monday Report", published each Monday morning. For all economic data release dates, ex-div dates and times and other relevant information, please refer to the FNArena Calendar.

Against a background of post-Fed Taper enthusiasm and a handful of AGMs, Standard and Poor's will reshuffle some of its indices after the close of trade today but investors have had plenty of time to prepare which is probably why Fleetwood ((FWD)) shares are up strongly today. Other names that will lose their index inclusion today are Kingsgate ((KCN)), OceanaGold ((OGC)) and Retail Food Group ((RFG)).

On Monday, a whole bunch of property trusts and managers goes ex-dividend. Rejuvenated Metcash ((MTS)) -or so it appears- closes off the calendar year by going ex-div on the 27th.

As far as scheduled economic events are concerned, next week will see the release of US indicators such as the University of Michigan's consumer confidence and personal spending by US consumers. The big question mark on most investors' mind will be whether this newfound momentum on the back of a very accommodating Federal Reserve will extend over the two weeks ahead and into the new calendar year.

Well, T'is the season to be Merry?

Not that everyone will be around to care. Traffic in Sydney has already been noticeably more user-friendly and there's quite a big number of emails bouncing this week from the FNArena database telling us the recipient shall be back in January or even February (!).

FNArena is closing shop today. We will resume operations on Monday, January 13 - in the new calendar year.

For those who still care, the local share market will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday next week. On December 27th, would you believe, there's the IPO listing scheduled for Sandon Capital Investments ((SCN)).

Probably of more importance will be the global merry go around of manufacturing PMIs when the financial sector returns to life on January 2, to be followed by services PMIs the world around later that week.

By the time FNArena returns to business, investors will also have seen global updates on industrial production, unemployment in the US and consumer spending in Australia.

I happily refer paying subscribers to the FNArena calendar in the Cockpit for more details about what to expect and when. By the time FNArena starts sending out daily emails and publishing daily updates of the Australian Broker Call, part of market volatility will stem from resources companies updating quarterly production reports.

Rio Tinto ((RIO)) is on the calendar for the 16th of January.

Best Wishes to you all. It has been an eventful year. Don't drink and eat too much (we want to see you back in good health and in excellent spirit).

Once again, it has been fun and entertaining to serve you over the past twelve months. But now it's time for a little less finance and a little more relaxing.

Here's my favourite toast (thanks to Kinky Friedman): May the best of the past be the worst of the future!

All the Best,

Your Editor