In this tranquil Monday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we ease into a market quietly preparing for a pivotal week of economic data. U.S. indexes drifted lower as investors waited for the delayed November jobs report and inflation figures, with tech stocks softening and small-caps retreating. Financials and defense names offered gentle pockets of strength, while software and semiconductor names continued to recalibrate after last week’s volatility. Across Asia, markets echoed a cautious tone, though Japan found a hint of optimism; Europe opened the week with steadier footing. Commodities held to a muted rhythm, gold glimmered near multi-year highs, Treasury yields edged down, and Bitcoin slipped toward the mid-$80,000s. Tonight’s episode is a quiet prelude to the data ahead — a moment of stillness before markets decide their next direction.