Coming Week: Warm Spell

Also on tap for Tuesday will be this month's consumer confidence data, which is expected to dip to 105 from 106.3 the prior month. Also Tuesday, the Chicago PMI for February will offer insight into the health of the manufacturing sector. Economists are anticipating a reading of 58.2, down from 58.5 in January. Traders also will get another glimpse at the housing market with the release of existing-home sales figures.

The lion's share of the week's data comes in on Wednesday. Among the highlights will be February auto sales numbers, personal income and spending data for January, as well as January construction spending.

The ISM manufacturing index for February also will be released Wednesday. Economists are expecting a reading of 55.1, up from January's 54.8. The ISM services report will be released on Friday.

No Problems with Earnings

Earnings season may be winding down, but there are still a few notable names left to weigh in, especially in the retail sector. Traders will see if the market can absorb the figures with the same aplomb it demonstrated with earlier profit reports.

"Looking back, the S&P 500 is at four-and-a-half-year highs, so it seems the market had no problems with earnings last quarter," says Brian Williamson, equity trader at Boston Company Asset Management.

The consumer, as well as the housing market, will be in the spotlight on Monday when Lowe's(LOW Quote) releases its fourth-quarter results. According to Thomson First Call, analysts expect earnings of 80 cents a share and revenue of $10.44 billion. The home-improvement retailer earned 64 cents a share a year earlier.

On Tuesday, the market will hear from the likes of Charter Communications(CHTR Quote), Deckers Outdoor(DECK Quote) and H.J. Heinz(HNZ Quote).

Also on Tuesday's earnings docket are retailers BJ's Wholesale Club(BJ Quote) and Staples(SPLS Quote).

The retailers continue to roll on Wednesday, with reports from AutoZone (AZO Quote), Chico's FAS(CHS Quote), PetsMart(PETM Quote) and Saks(SKS Quote).