Coming Week: All About Consumers
02/15/08 - 08:05 PM EST
Joanna Ossinger
"Wal-Mart caters to the lower- and middle-income classes of people, and that's the bulk of Americans out there," Hurley says. Since consumers make up about two-thirds of economic activity in the U.S., any insight into their activity is useful for the markets.
Other retailers issuing results this week include J.C. Penney(JCP Quote - Cramer on JCP - Stock Picks) and Zale(ZLC Quote - Cramer on ZLC - Stock Picks) on Thursday. Another look at the consumer may come from Whole Foods'(WFMI Quote - Cramer on WFMI - Stock Picks) announcement Tuesday and Safeway's(SWY Quote - Cramer on SWY - Stock Picks) report Thursday, which could show whether Americans are skimping on higher-end grocery items. Dow component Hewlett-Packard(HPQ Quote - Cramer on HPQ - Stock Picks) also announces its earnings on Tuesday, which could shed some light on how the technology industry is faring as U.S. growth slows down. Barrick Gold(ABX Quote - Cramer on ABX - Stock Picks) and Newmont Mining(NEM Quote - Cramer on NEM - Stock Picks) come out with results on Thursday, which are likely to interest investors given gold's recent record-high prices. The utility sector will see some activity, with Chesapeake Energy(CHK Quote - Cramer on CHK - Stock Picks) Thursday and PG&E(PCG Quote - Cramer on PCG - Stock Picks) on Friday. In addition, investors will get a good look at the health of the gaming sector this week. On Tuesday, Trump Entertainment(TRMP Quote - Cramer on TRMP - Stock Picks) reports, Ameristar Casinos(ASCA Quote - Cramer on ASCA - Stock Picks) and Monarch Casino & Resort(MCRI Quote - Cramer on MCRI - Stock Picks) announce Wednesday and MGM Mirage(MGM Quote - Cramer on MGM - Stock Picks) follows on Thursday. The U.S. stock market will be closed on Monday for the President's Day holiday.
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