4:30 pm : For the most part, the stock market lacked direction this session, but it still managed to put together a late advance that helped it settle near its session high. That helped stocks book a modest gain and close near fresh 52-week highs.

Financials were a primary source of support this session. The sector spiked 1.7% as diversified banks climbed 2.6%. European banking giant Barclays (BCS 19.34, +1.01) was especially strong after analysts at Deutsche Bank picked the name as one of its top choices for European bank stocks.

Leadership from financials helped pull stocks up from negative territory a few times this session. Technical support also helped provide a base from which stocks could rebound.

The S&P 500 set its session low amid a knee-jerk reaction to the midmorning release of some disappointing November pending home sales numbers. Pending home sales for November decreased 16.0% month-over-month, which was a far steeper slide than the 2.0% decline that many had forecast. The disappointing data overshadowed news that factory orders for November were up a stronger-than-expected 1.1% (consensus called for a 0.5% increase).

There were only a few corporate headlines this session. Among them, Kraft (KFT 28.77, +1.34) announced that it has opted to sell its North American pizza business to Nestle in order to offer cash as part of its bid for Cadbury (CBY 49.73, -1.92). Meanwhile, Kraft's proposal to issue stock to help it acquire Cadbury received criticism from Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett, who suggested that Kraft's shares constitute an expensive currency. Berkshire reportedly owns some 9% of Kraft's outstanding shares.

6:31PM U.S. Energy Corp. announces initial production rate of ~3,807 BOE/D from the State 36-1 #1H well; (USEG) 6.17 -0.01 : Brigham Exploration (BEXP) announced that its operated State 36-1 #1H produced ~3,807 barrels of oil equivalent per day (3,236 Bopd and 3.42 MMcf/d) from the Bakken formation during an early 24 hour flow back period. The State was completed with 30 frac stages and represents Brigham's highest reported 24 hour flow back rate in the Williston Basin. Thus far, Brigham's 10 long lateral high frac stage Bakken and Three Forks wells have averaged an early peak production rate of ~2,240 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Brigham maintains an approximate 16% working interest in the State, which is the sixth well completed under the drilling participation agreement with U.S. Energy Corp. (NASDAQ: USEG). Brigham's interest in the State is anticipated to increase upon payout of the first six wells in the drilling participation agreement.

6:03PM Alaska Air Group reports December traffic (ALK) 36.78 +1.91 : Co reported December operational results for its subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines (Alaska) and Horizon Air (Horizon). Alaska reported an increase in load factor to 83.6% in December 2009, compared to 80.7% in December 2008, on a 5.0% increase in available seat miles (ASMs) compared to the prior-year period. Alaska also reported that 84.0% of its flights arrived on time in December 2009, a 25.6-point increase compared to the 58.4% reported in December 2008. December 2008's results were negatively impacted by severe winter storms in the Pacific Northwest during the last two weeks of the month

5:53PM Aspen Insurance Holdings announces $200 mln accelerated share repurchase (AHL) 25.64 -0.04 :