Even if the national headlines weren't already providing enough focus on the economy, plenty of economic data is due out as the month and the quarter wind down. U.S. economic data scheduled to be released this week include:

• Personal income (Aug. 2008): Monday 8:30 AM
• Consumer confidence index (Sept, 2008): Tuesday 10:00 AM
• Challenger job cut announcement (Sept, 2008): Wednesday 7:30 AM
• ISM manufacturing survey (Sept. 2008): Wednesday 10:00 AM
• Construction spending (Aug. 2008): Wednesday 10:00 AM
• New motor vehicle sales (Sept. 2008): Wednesday 4:00 PM
• Monster employment index (Sept. 2008): Thursday 6:00 AM
• Factory orders (Aug. 2008): Thursday 10:00 AM
• Employment situation (Sept. 2008): Friday 8:30 AM
• ISM nonmanufacturing survey (Sept. 2008): Friday 10:00 AM

Other economic events scheduled for this week include:

• Fed's Hoenig speaks on "The Economy and Monetary Policy": Monday 9:45 PM
• Fed's Lockhart speaks on the economic outlook: Tuesday 1:00 PM
• Ford Motor Co. September 2008 Sales Conference Call: Wednesday 1:00 PM
• AMETEK Inc. at Oppenheimer Industrials Conference: Thursday 8:00 AM
• DuPont at Citigroup Ethanol on the Cob Conference: Thursday 12:50 PM
• Fed's Evans speaks at Agricultural Markets and Food Price Inflation conference: Thursday 1:00 PM
• Fed's Bullard speaks at Indiana University Department of Economics: Thursday 7:00 PM
• Fed's Hoenig speaks on "The Economy and Monetary Policy": Thursday 9:45 PM
• National Association for Business Economics 50th Annual Meeting to address Future Economic Challenges: Friday 9:00 PM

AngioDynamics (NASDAQ: ANGO) provides medical devices used by interventional radiologists and surgeons for the minimally invasive treatment of cancer and peripheral vascular disease. The firm's oncology product line includes image-guided radiofrequency ablation devices, used to kill cancer cells by heating and destroying them. The peripheral vascular line includes a variety of instruments to clear and drain non-cardiac arteries. The company's products are sold in more than thirty countries. Competitors include Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX).

The firm pleased investors late last month, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 41 cents and revenues of $46.8 million. Analysts had been looking for 17 cents and $45.6 million. Management also guided FY09 EPS to 68 cents (64 cent consensus) and FY09 revenues to $205-$210 million ($201.32M consensus).

Monday, December 31

• PDUFA date for Pharmacyclics (NASDAQ: PCYC)' Xcytrin for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases.

Tuesday, January 1

• Markets closed for New Year's holiday.

Wednesday, January 2

• PDUFA date for SkyePharmaceuticals (OTC: SKYEY) and Sciele Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SCRX) Sular Formulation for Hypertension. The FDA extended the PDUFA Date from November 2, 2007.

Thursday, January 3

• Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) to report monthly sales at 1pm
• General Motors (NYSE: GM) to report monthly sales at 2pm.
• AngioDynamics (NASDAQ: ANGO) to report Q2 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.

Friday, January 4

• Millennium Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: MLNM) to provide guidance at 8am.
• Checkpoint Systems (NYSE: CKP) to provide guidance at 10am.
• Federal Reserve Govenor Kohn to provide keynote speech at the AEA Annual Meeting in New Orleans at 11:45am.

Minimally invasive surgical methods avoid open surgery, in favor of closed procedures with less trauma. A leading provider of systems the remove tumors and clear blood vessels without open surgery is headquartered in Queensbury, New York.

AngioDynamics (NASDAQ: ANGO) provides medical devices used by interventional radiologists and surgeons for the minimally invasive treatment of cancer and peripheral vascular disease. The firm's oncology product line includes image-guided radiofrequency ablation devices, used to kill cancer cells by heating and destroying them. Its peripheral vascular line includes a variety of instruments for clearing and draining non-cardiac arteries. The company's products are sold in more than 30 countries. Competitors include Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX).

The firm pleased investors last week, when it offered Q4 revenue guidance of $40.5-$40.8 million. That range encompassed the average Street estimate of $40.65 million. The CEO pointed out that the company had resumed active participation in the laser vein ablation market and had received positive initial reaction to its new and improved product. The stock popped through 30-day and 50-day moving average resistance on the news and then began definition of a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Prices frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Brokers recommend the issue with three "strong buys," two "buys" and three "holds." Analysts expect a 32% growth rate through the next year. The ANGO Price to Sales ratio (4.26), Price to Book ratio (1.22) and Sales Growth rate (35.14%) compare favorably with industry and sector averages. About 84% of the outstanding shares are held by institutional investors. Over the past fifty-two weeks, the stock has traded between $15.20 and $28.83. A stop-loss of $14.60 looks good here. Note that the firm is expected to report Q4 results in late July.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.

Here is a look ahead to next week's three day trading week:

Monday January 1

• Markets closed for New Year's Day holiday
• PDUFA date for Amylin Pharmaceutical's (NASDAQ: AMLN) Byetta

Tuesday January 2

• Markets closed in observance of President Ford's death

Wednesday January 3

• Earnings conference calls for AngioDynamics (NASDAQ: ANGO), Landec Corporation (NASDAQ: LNDC) and the Topps Company (NASDAQ: TOPP)
• Sales conference call for American Eagle Outfitters (NASDAQ: AEOS)

Thursday January 4

• Earnings conference calls for Arrow International (NASDAQ: ARRO), Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) and Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC)
• Sales conference calls for Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF), AnnTaylor Stores (NYSE: ANN) and bebe stores (NASDAQ: BEBE)

Friday January 5

• Shareholder meeting for Serono S.A. (NYSE: SRA)