Biz Buzz: A daily update on economic and business news
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With the midterm elections done, Wall Street turns its attention back to Main Street, with several key reports due out this week on the health of U.S. consumers. In addition, several key retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target are due to report their earnings this week, which should also speak to the financial health of households.
Monday, November 13:
EARNINGS TO WATCH: Tyson Foods
Tuesday, November 14:
WHOLESALE INFLATION: The Labor Department will release the latest results of its closely followed producer price index, which gauges inflation at the wholesale level.
FED MINUTES: The Federal Reserve Board will release the minutes of its monetary policy committee meeting in October, when the central bank voted to leave short-term interest rates alone.
RETAIL SALES: The Commerce Department will release October's retail sales report, which should speak to the health of U.S. consumers.
FEDSPEAK: William Poole, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, is scheduled to speak to the Chartered Financial Analysts Society meeting in Wilmington, Del.
EARNINGS TO WATCH: Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Home Depot, HSBC Holdings, Pep Boys, Staples, Target, Vodafone Group, and Wal-Mart
Wednesday, November 15:
EARNINGS TO WATCH: Applied Materials, Limited Brands, PetSmart, Talbots, and Tyco
Thursday, November 16:
RETAIL INFLATION: The Labor Department will release the latest results of yet another inflation gauge–the consumer price index–measuring inflation at the retail level.
FEDSPEAK: Several Fed officials will be on the road today, speaking about the economy. First, Fed governor Randall Kroszner will address the Cato Institute's annual monetary policy conference in Washington, D.C. St. Louis Fed president William Poole will also be participating on a panel at that conference. Meanwhile, Michael Moskow, president of the Chicago Fed, will address the outlook for the economy before the American Business Media meeting in Chicago.
EARNINGS TO WATCH: Barnes & Noble, Dell, Gap, Hewlett-Packard, Starbucks, and Williams-Sonoma
Friday, November 17:
HOUSING STARTS: The Commerce Department will report on recent trends in new home construction and building permit applications.
EARNINGS TO WATCH: AnnTaylor Stores, Foot Locker, and J. M. Smucker Co.
