Schaeffer's Today's Market Features: Wal-Mart Stores, Sony, Fortune Brands, Fossil, and Advanced Semiconductor Engineering.

CINCINNATI -- Among the stocks featured in the November 24 edition of Schaeffer's Today's Market are Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE:WMT), Sony (NYSE:SNE), Fortune Brands (NYSE:FO), Fossil (NASDAQ:FOSL), and Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (NYSE:ASX). Schaeffer's Today's Market is just one of the many free market commentaries written every day at www.SchaeffersResearch.com - the home of Bernie Schaeffer and Schaeffer's Investment Research. Today's Market is written throughout every trading day by Schaeffer's financial analysts and traders. The entries are quick updates on the day's most notable market activity and news.

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8:58 AM Market Trading on Tryptophan Following Thanksgiving

Expect light trading in today's shortened session, as many investors may have taken the day off to take full advantage of Black Friday. That said, U.S. stock futures are lower this morning, as the dollar has staged a dramatic decline. In overseas trading, the dollar has slipped thanks mainly to the thin trading conditions. The euro has reached its highest level since April 2005 and the British pound has climbed to its best level since December 2004.

Retailers will be the focus on the Street today, as some could realize as much as 70 percent of their annual November-to-December sales. In fact, some make as much as 50 percent of their annual profit. Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE:WMT) will also be in focus, as The New York Times reported (citing the company) that the retailer has received permission from Mexico's finance ministry to open a bank in the country. The retailer has had some trouble trying to open a bank in the United States.

Also making news this morning is Remy Cointreau, which announced plans to end a joint distribution agreement with a number of beverage makers yesterday. The companies include the Beam Global Spirits & Wines unit of Fortune Brands (NYSE:FO). FO, Brown-Forman, and Constellation Brands (STZ) are seen as potential bidders for the French cognac producer.

Japanese shares were battered this morning, thanks to heavy dollar selling amid thin currency trading. The Nikkei 225 dropped 1.1 percent and the broader Topix slipped one full percent. The auto sector helped lead the Nikkei lower as shares of Toyota (TM) slipped nearly two percent. Another top exporter, Sony (NYSE:SNE) fell two percent as well. The twin exporters dropped as the stronger yen makes their goods more expensive abroad.

European shares have slipped as well, losing ground for the third straight session as the dollar reached its lowest level since April 2005. The German DAX 30 has dropped 1.4 percent, the French CAC 40 has retreated one full percent, and the U.K. FTSE 100 is down 0.9 percent. The drop was precipitated by the euro braking through $1.30 for the first time since April 2005. Currently, only three of the foreign markets we track are in positive territory with a cumulative average return of -0.67 percent.

10:59 AM Stocks Slip on Light Trading

Trading is relatively quiet this morning, with most traders content to spend the day home with the kids instead of watching the market. At last check, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 12,306.3) was down 21 points and the S&P 500 Index (SPX - 1,404) has shed roughly two points. The tech-laden Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 2,462.4) has retreated nearly four points. Remember, the market is slated to close at 1 p.m. Eastern time today.

In news around the Street today, Fossil (NASDAQ:FOSL) reported that it has received a Nasdaq non-compliance notice over the company's failure to file its Form 10-Q for its third quarter, which ended on October 7. The firm plans to request a hearing before a Nasdaq panel to request continued listing on the exchange. The company delayed its 10-Q filing while it completes its review of its historical stock granting practices. At last check, the shares were up 0.28 percent at $21.61.

Meanwhile, Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (NYSE:ASX) has jumped more than 15 percent to a new annual high on news that a group led by private equity firm Carlyle Group has expressed interest in buying the company for about $5.24 billion in cash. The firm's Chief Executive Jason Chang agreed to join the bidding consortium.

For more information on these stocks or any stock in your portfolio, feel free to visit our Schaeffer's Equity Scorecard feature. Click here to read all of the Today's Market entries: http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/redirect.aspx?CODE=PROB13C&PAGE=1 .

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About Schaeffer's Investment Research (www.SchaeffersResearch.com)

Schaeffer's Investment Research, founded by Bernie Schaeffer in 1981, is a financial information and trading resources company. It publishes Bernie Schaeffer's Option Advisor, the nation's leading options subscription newsletter. The firm's contrarian approach focuses on stocks with technical and fundamental trends that run counter to investor expectations. The firm's website, http://www.SchaeffersResearch.com , is recognized as one of the leading information sources for stock and options traders and was cited as the top options website by both Forbes and Barron's. Click here for more details about Schaeffer's trading methodology: http://www.SchaeffersResearch.com/method .