After closing 2011 at exactly the same level it closed out 2010, the S&P 500 came blasting out of the gate with guns a-blazing on Tuesday to celebrate the New Year. It was a welcome sight to scores of nervous investors.

Today, the market had its best single-session move in more than two weeks. Spurred by a lack of economic data before the market open and positive performances in foreign markets, stocks opened up and stayed positive on better than expected economic data. The S&P 500 finished up +1.55%.

Bulls are trying mightily to ensure the Santa rally holds into year-end and close the year in the positive, as all eyes remain on Europe.

Okay, Virginia, Maybe There is a Santa Claus . . .

Like the nice employer who never fails to pay a Christmas bonus every year, Santa seems bound and determined to give bulls the year-end rally they have come to expect. But bears aren’t going away quietly—although bulls got some unintended help from the bears with Tuesday’s short-covering-fueled rally.

Bah! Humbug!

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems

After a nice pop last Friday and an aborted attempt to get it going again on Tuesday, stocks were down 3% for the week through Wednesday. Among the ten U.S. sector iShares, Energy (IYE) and Basic Materials (IYM) have led the market down this week. The “risk-off” movement has sent investors into the safety of the dollar and Treasuries at the expense of stocks and commodities.

What Merry Christmas? What Happy New Year?

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems