SPX has rallied, VIX has fallen, and there’s been general improvement in the U.S. stock market’s internal indicators. Moreover, this is the beginning of another seasonally bullish period — the so-called Santa Claus rally.

Investors are still sitting on a more than 25% gain for the year, and it’s arguable that the frenzied postelection bump pulled forward some of December’s typical gains. Nonetheless, the month’s anemic showing is atypical.

Yes. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will both operate on half-day schedules, closing at 1 p.m., while bond markets will shut down at 2 p.m., and major U.S. financial markets will stay closed until Thursday’s normal trading session.