The fiscal cliff deal finalized by the House may not give the economy much of a breather. Critical issues that leave room for more political bickering include deficit reduction. Another standoff in the making happens next month when Congress will need to raise the $16.4 trillion federal borrowing limit so the government can keep paying its bills.
- The stock market closed 2012 on a high note Monday, even with the fate of fiscal cliff talks in doubt. The Dow was up 166 points to finish the year at 13,104. The S&P rose 24 points and the Nasdaq climbed 59. Futures trading suggests big gains at this morning's opening.
- International stock markets registered relief today over the U.S. congressional vote to stop hundreds of billions of dollars in automatic tax increases and spending cuts that risked plunging the world's biggest economy into recession. The dollar gained against the yen and fell against the euro. Crude oil prices rose to near $93 per barrel.
- An apparent decision by the House Republican leadership to drop a vote on aid to Superstorm Sandy victims isn't sitting well with members of the New York congressional delegation from both sides of the aisle. Republican Rep. Peter King says the decision is "absolutely indefensible." A spokesman for Speaker John Boehner says he is "committed to getting this bill passed this month."
- The Institute for Supply Management releases its manufacturing index for December today and the Commerce Department releases construction spending for November.
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