Curb Your Enthusiasm, 11/26/12

Last week was short from Thanksgiving; however, there was still news. Black Friday often fools amateur investors because of the idea of shoppers lining up and packing stores to buy products. That doesn’t translate into a strong retail industry because the stores are offering huge discounts, and their profits are lean as a result.

It was a good week in the market, but curb your enthusiasm because last week was light trading. The market was also easy on the fiscal cliff, but possibly there will be a shift in mood this week.

There are a few health care companies to keep an eye on this week. Pfizer and Merck are dividend-paying companies, but investors might get nervous because of the upcoming dividend tax. Plus, Baxter has been in talks to buy Gambro, according to multiple sources, which is something investors will want to watch.

Plus, don’t forget there will be continued worried about the fiscal cliff and the Middle East.

If you have any questions for Marek, he can be contacted through Twitter at @MarekFuchs.

Watch past Wall Street Wrap Up videos here.

Marek Fuchs was a stockbroker for Shearson Lehman Brothers before becoming a journalist who wrote The New York Times' "County Lines" column for six years. Marek speaks regularly on business and journalism issues at venues ranging from annual meetings of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers to PBS to National Public Radio. His last book, A Cold-Blooded Business, was called "riveting" by Kirkus Reviews and next book, Local Heroes: Portraits of American Volunteer Firefighters is due out in 2012. He is on the writing faculty at Sarah Lawrence College. When Marek is not writing, teaching or filming videos, he serves as a volunteer firefighter.