But as investors returned after a three-session holiday, China's Shanghai Composite rose 1.7% after Beijing raised the amount foreigners would be allowed to invest in financial markets.

WSJ: Dow Lays an Egg on Week

But only days after the Chinese returned from Golden Week, a national holiday, the banks were reinvigorated.

ECONOMIST: If no one else can help

There are tons of guides available for how and how not to act during the course of a company holiday event, but what about the morning after?

FORBES: How to Behave During The Morning After The Holiday Party

U.S. markets were closed Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday but European stocks ended on a weak note after leaders of the euro zone's three biggest nations France, Germany and Italy ruled out expanding the European Central Bank's role to help support weaker euro-zone states.

WSJ: Asia Slips on Europe Worries

They seem confident that their mainframes will survive New Year's Eve 1999 without a hiccup but they may be unable to get into their office after the holiday to see it for themselves, or may have to shiver in an unheated room while they do.

ECONOMIST: Please panic early