Coming Week: Concerns for Credit

Concerns over the credit crunch look set to remain at the forefront of investors' minds in the shortened post-Labor Day holiday week.

One thing remains clear: We are not out of the woods yet. That's despite a triple dose of at least somewhat reassuring news Friday -- fair economic data in the form of lower-than-expected inflation, a soothing speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and a proposed White House plan to help cash-strapped homeowners.

No sooner will traders return from the Monday holiday than they will be greeted by a key piece of data. On Tuesday, the Institute for Supply Management's August manufacturing index will be released. That will be followed two days later by the ISM services index, which gives a similar snapshot of the nonfactory sector. ...