Our benchmark FNMA 5.5% mortgage bond finished 16bp higher to close at $101.84 during a holiday shortened session. It was a good week and month for the bond with a 416bp rise during the month and a 131bp gain for the week. There was no economic news to drive the markets but investors worried about the health of retailers with today's 'Black Friday' kick-off to the Christmas holiday shopping season. Today is the most important day for retailers who hope to attract enough buyers to reach their annual sales goals. The holiday shopping season is also important for the economy as consumer purchases account for more than two-thirds of economic activity in the U.S. Stocks ended the week on an up-swing with five consecutive daily gains. The Dow finished the week 9.7% higher after gaining 102 points today to close at $8,829. The broader S&P 500 Index added 8 points to finish at 896 and gained 12% on the week. The NASDAQ Composite Index rose 3 points to end at 1,535 for an 11% weekly gain.