Last week's preview raised the question of whether consumers were turning to comfort foods in these uncertain times, specifically in terms of second quarter earnings of Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) and Krispy Kreme (NYSE: KKD). Campbell's strong earnings growth topped expectations, while Krispy Kreme narrowed its loss, though it fell short of estimates.

This coming week should bring reports from more food-related companies, from cereal maker General Mills and food packager CongAgra to grocery chain Kroger, to the parent companies of restaurants Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Carl's Jr., and Hardees. Also look for reports from tech-related companies such as Oracle, Adobe, and Palm, as well as from financials Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, and from economic bellwether FedEx.

Here's what analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial are expecting from some of the companies reporting earnings this week, as compared to their results from the same period of last year:

Omnova Solutions Inc. (NYSE: OMN) makes coatings for carpet, upholstery, paper and tires, among other items, that improve the looks, performance, and durability of those products. Omnova senior management recently presented at the Deutsche Bank conference and used that occasion to alert investors to the fact that net sales for the recent quarter, 3Q 2007, increased 12.4% to $196.8 million. EPS from continuing operations increased a whopping 300% to $0.11. Despite steadily increasing prices for raw materials for its coatings, and a significant decrease in demand for new carpet due to across the board declines in new residential construction, Omnova has seen its sales volume increase as well as its sales prices. Net income increased a very favorable 36% to $4.5 million.

Omnova has hallowed out costs from administrative expenses and reduced its interest expense by reducing its debt load in order to counteract increases in the cost of goods sold. Omnova has also incorporated LEAN Six Sigma initiatives into all its production systems to reduce costs. These initiatives have led to a measurable increase in production output per employee. Investors always like to see a very engaged management team.

The stock price has fluctuated by up to 30%, opening the year trading at $4.87. The stock hit a high on March 19 , closing at $6.35, before giving up half that gain to close Friday at $5.51, a gain of about 13% since the first of the year.

Stock futures are lower in early morning indicating to a similar start for the stock market ahead of some key economic data due to be released today.

At 8:30 a.m., before markets open, the Labor Department will report February's consumer price index. Economists forecast a 0.3% increase compared to a 0.2% increase in January. Ex-food and and energy, core CPI is expected to rise 0.2% after gaining 0.3% in the previous month. Investors will be watching this inflationary measure closely as the Fed meets to discuss interest rate policy next week. What's more, yesterday's PPI surprise is causing further concerns inflationary pressures are sill strong.

Despite PPI coming much higher than expected yesterday and other indication about mounting inflation (at the wholesale level) and slower economic growth, markets finished on a positive note. The reason, many speculate, has to do with several options and futures contracts expiring today bringing buyers into the market. Corporate M&A activity also helped strengthened stocks yesterday.

Other economic data will be reported today: February capacity utilization and industrial production figures will be released just before markets open. March consumer confidence is due at 10:00 a.m., after the open, and is expected to show a slight drop.

The dollar dropped to a three-months low against the euro ahead of the coming U.S. economic data that could further point to weakening U.S. economy. The dollar also lost ground against the yen and 12 other currencies.
After falling to near $57 a barrel, oil prices rose this morning.

In corporate news:

OMI Corp. (NYSE:OMN), operator of a fleet of oil tankers, may put itself up for sale. The company hired advisers to explore sale and its board is reviewing several strategic alternatives.

Nissan Motor Co. (NASDAQ:NSANY) CEO Carlos Ghosn would give up the duty of overseeing operations in the Americas. The automaker shuffles top management as it heads for its first annual profit decline in seven years.