TGIF!!

Investors are already hunkering down in preparation for next week's Fed meeting. Trading was thin today, and a report came out showing fewer new home sales than expected. Investors are hoping this will convince the Fed NOT to raise rates too many times, giving stocks a boost. And our "interesting" story from yesterday may have come to quick end. After a new $19.73 billion offer from Bayer, Merck has surrendered in this bidding war. It is unlikely a new bidder will appear, and investors are turning to Bayer with more specific questions of what this acquisition will mean to its employees. DJIA: +15.52 Nasdaq: +12.67 S&P 500: +1.28