Coming Week: Concerns for Credit

On the earnings front, announcements from major firms are sparse. Most market strategists are waiting for the release of third-quarter earnings reports from financial services firms later this month, which will give a clearer picture of how deep the banks felt the pain during the recent credit market malaise.

Still, Thursday will mark the biggest reporting day, as homebuilder Hovnanian Enterprises(HOV Quote) is expected to report its second-quarter performance. Analysts across the board are forecasting various degrees of losses for the firm.

Also set to report that day are tech firm National Semiconductor(NSM Quote) and food processor Campbell Soup(CPB Quote).

Starting Tuesday, other notable companies expected to print figures include apparel maker Guess?(GES Quote), followed a day later by shoe retailer DSW(DSW Quote) and preppie-garb seller J. Crew(JCG Quote).