Volatile Week for U.S. Stocks Ends in Draw as Fed Meeting Looms

  • Most tumulutuous stretch since August with four 1% swings
  • S&P 500 flat after rallying most in three months on Friday

Why a Fed Rate Hike in December Is a Virtual Certainty

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The most volatile week for U.S. stocks since the summer swoon ended right where it began -- with investors waiting for the Federal Reserve.

Equities shattered a month of calm as attention careened from central-bank stimulus to OPEC and jobs data. The steady flow of news that will likely set the tone for markets in 2016 whipsawed the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to four consecutive moves of 1 percent or more. In the end, the gauge ended the week little changed after a catch-up rally on the final day.