The new earnings season doesn't kick off until Alcoa (AA) reports its first-quarter results on April 11, but a few stragglers are still reporting their earnings for the previous quarter this week. The most prominent earnings reports on tap are Wednesday's results from Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) and from Monsanto (MON). Here's what analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect to see.

Bed Bath & Beyond

During its fiscal fourth quarter, the nation's largest domestics retailer opened new stores and its CEO sold shares. Analysts anticipate that the New Jersey-based company will report per-share earnings of 97 cents, an increase of 11.3% from the same quarter of last year. The company also is expected to post revenue of $2.4 billion for the three months that ended in February, a 6.3% rise from a year earlier.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Bed Bath & Beyond, Monsanto and Pier 1 Earnings

Week in Preview: Bed Bath & Beyond, Monsanto and Pier 1 Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, the unemployment rate sank below 9% in February, but investors didn't seem to be impressed by that. The Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 all fell on Friday over concerns about how the ongoing unrest in the Middle East might affect energy prices, and thus the economic recovery.

Will this coming week's economic calendar offer anything likely to bring excitement to the markets? Here's what's on tap:

• Monday: Consumer credit numbers for January
• Tuesday: Weekly chain store sales, TIPP Economic Optimism Index

Continue reading Week in Preview: Retail Sales, Consumer Credit and Earnings

Week in Preview: Retail Sales, Consumer Credit and Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The past week's datapoint-of-consequence for investors had to be the December 2010 consumer credit report, which indicated that credit card debt increased for the first time in more than two years.

Revolving debt, which includes credit cards, increased by $2.3 billion in December, or at a 3.5% annualized rate, the U.S Federal Reserve said. It was the first monthly increase in credit card use since August 2008.

Continue reading Tell-Tale Stat: Credit Card Debt Rises for First Time Since August 2008

Tell-Tale Stat: Credit Card Debt Rises for First Time Since August 2008 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Although the U.S. economy has added jobs in recent months, the unemployment rate remains uncomfortably high at 9.8%. The rate for December is due out on Friday and is expected to drop to 9.7%. However, no one seems to expect significant improvement until well into the new year.

Other economic data on this week's schedule include:

• Monday: ISM Manufacturing Index, construction spending and auto sales data

Continue reading Week in Preview: Unemployment Rate, Retail and Auto Sales

Week in Preview: Unemployment Rate, Retail and Auto Sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After a week full of mixed economic data taking its toll on the markets, things will settle down somewhat this coming week.

• Monday: Fed releases October data on consumer credit outstanding.
• Tuesday: TIPP Economic Optimism Index is due.
• Wednesday: Labor Dept. offers initial jobless claims numbers for last week, EIA's crude oil inventory last week, October wholesale trade numbers from the Census Bureau.
• Friday: Trade balance data for October, Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its Import Price Index for November, preliminary Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is due, and the Treasury Dept. releases the federal budget balance in November.

Continue reading Week in Preview: A Bit of a Breather (AZO, DG, SFD)

Week in Preview: A Bit of a Breather (AZO, DG, SFD) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Alcoa (AA), Marriott (MAR) and Yum! Brands (YUM) kick off the new earnings season this week. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are looking for moderate year-over-year earnings and revenue growth in the third quarter from each of these dividend payers.

Note that Marriott and Yum! Brands have exceeded consensus estimates in recent quarters and have First Call consensus buy recommendations as well. They are also trading near their 52-week highs, while Alcoa shares are closer to the 52-week low despite a 22% rise in the past three months.

Continue reading Week in Preview: New Earnings Season, Employment Data and More

Week in Preview: New Earnings Season, Employment Data and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It may be good for the jittery markets that things will be rather quiet on the economic calendar this coming week following the U.S. Independence Day holiday.

Markets in the U.S. are closed Monday for the holiday. The Institute of Supply Management (ISM) is scheduled to release the results of its next service sector survey Tuesday morning. This release is expected to show no significant change from the bullish May nonmanufacturing index.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: A Quiet Start to the Second Half of the Year

The Week in Preview: A Quiet Start to the Second Half of the Year originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Federal Reserve's next Beige Book report is scheduled to be released this week. This report is a compilation of anecdotal information on current economic conditions from each of the 12 Federal Reserve Bank districts, and it is released eight times a year. The data comes from interviews with business contacts, economists, market experts, and other sources. The June report is expected to show strengthening signs of expansion, though results could be mixed across the 12 districts.

Economic data due out this week include:

Continue reading The Week in Preview: Beige Book, Federal Budget, Retail Sales

The Week in Preview: Beige Book, Federal Budget, Retail Sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Dramatic Fall in Consumer Credit This February

Dramatic Fall in Consumer Credit This February originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The so-called cruelest month has begun. And this coming week's economic calendar for the U.S. starts off with the ISM nonmanufacturer's survey results for April and NAR's pending home sales for February on Monday morning. This glimpse at the service and housing sectors will be followed by March's consumer credit numbers Monday afternoon. Then things are pretty quiet until Friday's release of factory orders and wholesale trade numbers for February.

Between the Monday and Friday economic numbers will come the release on Tuesday of the minutes of the March 16 FOMC meeting, a record of the Fed's most recent thinking on monetary policy.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: A Quiet Start to the Cruelest Month

The Week in Preview: A Quiet Start to the Cruelest Month originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 04 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Investors and traders are in a quandary, trying to figure out if the economy is, indeed, improving.

One measure of growth is consumer spending. Consumer spending accounts for 70% of GDP, and it is the engine that has kept the economy growing over the past decade.

Well, consumer credit has fallen for eleven straight months. The recession has taken a harsh toll on the consumer. We have about 17 million people out of work. These persons certainly are spending only for basic necessities.

Continue reading Consumer Credit Falls for the 11th Straight Month

Consumer Credit Falls for the 11th Straight Month originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Consumers Find Credit Trouble in November

Consumers Find Credit Trouble in November originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Congratulations, you're richer than you were last quarter! Has your standard of living changed much, or are you still playing it safe?

According to the Federal Reserve, our country's net worth rose 5% to $53.4 trillion in the third quarter, the second straight quarterly gain for the American wallet. Nonetheless, the result remains well behind the (revised) pre-recession high-water mark of $64.5 trillion. To reach this level, we'd need to see net worth surge 21%.

Continue reading Are you better off than you were 3 months ago? Fed says yes

Are you better off than you were 3 months ago? Fed says yes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Consumer borrowing fell for the eighth straight month in September. This record-setting streak is due largely to tightening by lenders, unemployment and the conservative preference to pay down debt rather than spend. This widespread fit of fiscal responsibility, economists fret, could prevent a recovery from taking root, since consumer spending is responsible for 70% of the U.S. economy. This conventional thinking, of course, overlooks the fact that an eventual increase in spending that isn't fueled by consumer spending will yield a recovery that's more likely to last.

According to the Federal Reserve, borrowing fell at an annual rate of $14.8 billion in September -- it's biggest drop since July and much larger than the $10 billion predicted by economists. The behavior is exactly what you'd find in people worried about losing their jobs or focused on rebuilding safety funds and investment portfolios. Those who want to borrow are finding banks won't be complicit this time, as they clamp down on lending practices.

Continue reading Consumer spending falls victim to debt repayment

Consumer spending falls victim to debt repayment originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Consumer debt levels fell again in August for the seventh month in a row. Facing continued instability in the job market, people are paying down their debt, as a way to protect themselves. Savings are up, and borrowing is down - which could weaken the recovery. Consumer spending accounts for 70% of economic activity in the United States.

Total consumer debt outstanding dropped by $12 billion in August, according to the Federal Reserve, reflecting an annualized rate of 5.8%. Reality outpaced Wall Street's expectations, which were around $10 billion. In July, consumer debt outstanding fell $19 billion (9.1%), which was the largest in hard-dollar terms since 1943 and on a percentage basis since June 1975's 16.3%.

While consumer fear is playing a significant role, as a touchy housing market and dicey job situation leave little to lean on, the banks are also responsible for the change in direction. They aren't lending as easily, with stricter standards limiting the amount of credit available to consumers. You can't spend what you can't borrow.

Continue reading Consumer debt declines for seventh month in a row

Consumer debt declines for seventh month in a row originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analysts were shocked to learn that consumer credit fell by $21.6 billion when they were looking for only a $4 billion dollar drop.

Consumer credit outstanding fell at a 10.4% rate in July to $2.47 trillion. In June, total credit tumbled $15.5 billion, again topping estimates. Analysts had expected a drop of $10.3 billion.

Nonrevolving credit, which includes loans for big ticket items like cars, boats, college education, and holidays, plunged a record $15.5 billion or at an 11.7% rate to $1.6 trillion.

Continue reading Why is consumer credit down a whopping $21.6 billion?

Why is consumer credit down a whopping $21.6 billion? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Consumer bankruptcies have already spiked more than 30% this year, and it looks like the trend shows no signs of flagging. The American Bankruptcy Institute predicts that the tally could hit 1.4 million by the end of the year. So, although there are some experts signaling that the economy is on the upswing, the downstream effects of bankruptcy on consumer spending and corporate balance sheets are going to make it difficult for the market to turn the corner.

In July, more than 126,000 people filed for bankruptcy protection, and the filing rate was up 36.5% for the first six months of 2009 relative to the same period in 2008. The problem is affecting every rung of the social ladder.

Continue reading Consumer bankruptcies set to surge

Consumer bankruptcies set to surge originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For the fifth month in a row, consumers paid down their credit cards and other debt, as the worldwide recession continues to drive conservative financial behavior.

According to the Federal Reserve, outstanding consumer debt fell $10.3 billion (4.9%) to $2.5 trillion in June. Analysts expected a decline of only $4.7 billion, making the plunge unexpected -- and nearly twice the $5.4 billion by which consumer debt fell in May.

Continue reading Consumer debt headed in the right direction, spending hampered

Consumer debt headed in the right direction, spending hampered originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The second half of the calendar year has begun, and earnings return to the spotlight this week. As usual, Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) is among the first of the S&P 500 to report quarterly results. For the second quarter in which Alcoa agreed to sell its wire harness and electrical distribution business and its fastening systems business expanded into Morocco, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect the New York-based aluminum producer to report swinging to a net loss of $0.34 per share from a profit of $0.66 per share in the year-ago period. Second quarter revenue is expected to have fallen 48.3% to $3.9 billion. The full-year forecast is currently for a loss of $1.04 per share and revenue of $16.7 billion (-38.0%). Alcoa has missed expectations in the past three quarters, by as much as 17 cents per share. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 10.0%, which is better than the sector average. Alcoa slashed its dividend earlier this year, and the First Call consensus recommendation remains to hold AA. However, TheStreet.com recommends it as an against-the-grain pick. At $9.86, shares are down 12.4% since the beginning of the year, and recently have been bumping up against the 200-day moving average.

Continue reading The week in preview: Focus returns to earnings: Alcoa, Chevron, Family Dollar

The week in preview: Focus returns to earnings: Alcoa, Chevron, Family Dollar originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A new earnings reporting season kicks off this coming week with the quarterly report from Alcoa, the first Dow Jones industrial to report. But investors looking for early signs about the first quarter will be disappointed in what they see from the aluminum producer, assuming that analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are neither too optimistic or too pessimistic about those results.

Continue reading The week in preview: Alcoa kicks off a new earnings season

The week in preview: Alcoa kicks off a new earnings season originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.