Jobs data set to pave way for rates path, stocks

The coming week will give investors a fresh view into the health of the U.S. economy with the release of a closely watched employment report that could help determine the trajectory of interest rates in the months ahead. Stocks are heading into December with the benchmark S&P 500 near record highs following an over 25% year-to-date gain.

The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average notched record closing highs in a shortened Black Friday session, lifted by technology stocks such as Nvidia, while retail was in focus as the holiday shopping season kicked off.