Investor's Calendar
THIS WEEK</br></br>Vital Signs: The economy's pulse will be taken Tuesday as final figures for third-quarter gross domestic product are unveiled. November's estimate put the quarter's growth at a sizzling 8.2% annual rate. This quarter, economists think the U.S. economy is growing at a 4% to 4.5% rate; they expect healthy gains through next year.</br></br>Christmas Closings: The stock and bond markets will be closed Thursday for Christmas Day. On the eve of the holiday Wednesday, the stock market closes at 1 p.m. Eastern time and the bond market at 2 p.m. Friday, the stock market closes at 1 p.m.</br></br>On the Road: Nearly 59.6 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles away from home during the holidays, a 2.4% increase from last year, says AAA. Air travel alone is forecast to be 8% higher than last year.</br></br>And there's good news for motorists: Gasoline prices have fallen three cents a gallon since Thanksgiving, with the average price at the pump now $1.47 a gallon.