Holiday shopping could be a bright spot for the stock market, but both could soon stall if lawmakers don't make progress on the "fiscal cliff" when they return in the coming week.
Colin Anderson | Photographer's Choice | Getty Images
Congressional leaders and President Barack Obama have said they expect compromise when making a deal to stop the $500 billion wave of higher taxes and automatic spending cuts from hitting the economy early next year.
But many on Wall Street are betting Congress will resort to its fractious ways before a deal is reached, and that could upset the stock market — and holiday shoppers, particularly those at the high end.