NEW YORK -- U.S. stocks have been stuck at a standstill recently, but reports on the job market, manufacturing and consumer spending this week may provide the market with a jump start. .

Investors have been hesitant to pull the trigger over the last few weeks, as lawmakers and President Obama struggle to find consensus over year-end tax hikes and spending cuts. There's fears that, if unresolved, the so-called fiscal cliff will harm the economy at a time when the outlook for growth is already in question. 
Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 ended flat for the week. The Nasdaq eked out a gain of 1.4%. .

Analysts are hopeful that this week's economic data will light a fire under lawmakers to make a deal, especially if there's evidence that employers are postponing hiring until there's resolution in Washington..

Investors will first get a sense of the nation's employment picture on Wednesday from payroll processing firm ADP and from the Challenger job cuts report on Thursday. .

The main event comes Friday, when the Labor Department releases its nonfarm payroll numbers and the nation's unemployment rate. .

"This week may bring some more progress towards a deal to prevent the U.S. fiscal cliff," said Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics. "November's employment report...may provide further incentive."