Markets brace for housing, consumer confidence data

Financial markets are calm ahead of this morning's homebuilding and consumer confidence data. This will be the busiest day of the week for earnings Watch out for a new wave of U.S. mortgage trouble as home equity loans mature. The odds of missing payments Pending home sales hit a 10-month low last month. The fifth straight month of declines in contracts Insider stock-selling is approaching the highest level in more than 30 years, which is a signal that should not be ignored. Nine stocks that might be in trouble SEC Chairman Mary Jo White will have to deal with her own contradictions as she tries to prove the agency she heads is no longer Wall Street's lap dog. Testing the SEC's resolve The financial markets really do react in measurable ways to just about everything the Fed chairman says. Measuring Fed-speak 'Tis the season for company holiday parties, so try not to have too much fun. Stay sober and network like crazy