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Stocks In Need Of Boost May Get Help

After five straight weeks of gains, the three major U.S. stock indexes are set to extend the rally into December. "Consumers may or may not have cut back on retail spending, given the high cost of energy," said Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer of Solaris Asset Management. And Friday`s November jobs report may signal whether the Federal Reserve will end its rate hikes soon, analysts said.

Investors will cope with a blizzard of U.S. economic data in the coming week. Home sales, consumer confidence, retail sales, GDP, the Federal Reserve`s Beige Book, personal income and spending, the Institute for Supply Management`s manufacturing index, and November jobs are on the calendar.

U.S. oil futures prices have slid from a late August peak. But they`re still high enough that winter heating and driving costs are a concern to consumers - and retailers. Any inflation signs in Friday`s November employment data may cast doubt on whether the Fed will stop raising interest rates during the first quarter of 2006.