US stocks set for muted open after hitting record highs in holiday-thinned trade

Corner street signs during the 98th Annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the NYSE on December 1, 2021.Bryan R. Smith / AFP
US stocks were mostly flat Thursday, to trade around record highs in the last week of 2021.
"Markets are reflecting the new reality that COVID is here to stay," an investment advisor said.
European stocks were muted after countries in the region reported a surge in COVID-19 cases.
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