Weekly Newsletter May 6th - May 12th

Current Events: Friday's tumble following weak jobs data caused all major U.S. markets to surrender to a negative week. Many investors were caught by surprise as earlier in the week many indexes, such as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq, broke through major resistance levels and technically seemed strong. However, that soon changed once the Friday reports were released.

What to Look for This Week

With crude oil falling nearly 10% last week, many investors will eagerly seek opportunities over the coming days due to the volatility the commodity has seen recently. Friday's big slide caused the commodity to drop to the lowest price it has been per barrel in over three months.

News Affecting the Markets

After poor jobs data was released Friday morning, new concerns about the health of the U.S. economy spread quickly across not only the U.S., but the world. To add to the current uncertainty, European elections were held over the weekend.

Smart Investing

Invest Now, Even Small Amounts Add up over Time: Regardless of your age you are or even your level of employment or economic position, it may be a good idea to start preparing now, even in a paltry way, for eventual financial security. Some people feel they need every dollar they make to get by from one paycheck to the next. While this may be true for some, there are others who squander significant sums on insignificant things. They could be socking that money away into an investment account that, over time, could lead to huge savings and a comfortable retirement. It isn't hard to get started. All you need is $100 to $500 to open an account, and anywhere from $20 to $100 monthly to continue building your stock or mutual fund portfolio. In fact, a young person aged 20 could deposit $2,500 and then not another dime. In forty years he or she might have tens of thousands of dollars. Every little bit that you can stash away for your investments will make your retirement that much stronger. Give yourself the peace of mind of knowing you are preparing for the future.

Earnings for the Week

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Monday: Avis Budget Group Inc (CAR), Chimera Investment Corp (CIM), Clean Energy Fuels Corp (CLNE) {After the close}, Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp (CDE), Dendreon Corp (DNDB) {After the close}, DISH Network Corp (DISH), Electronic Arts Inc (EA) {After the close}, Frontier Communications Corp (FTR), Goodrich Petroleum Corp (GDP) {After the close}, Louisiana Pacific Corp (LPX), Mindray Medical International Ltd (MR) {After the close}, Northern Oil and Gas Inc (NOG), Oasis Petroleum Inc (OAS) {After the close}, Rackspace Hosting Inc (RAX), Sysco Corp (SYY), Tyson Foods Inc (TSN), Vornado Realty Trust (VNO), WYNN Resorts Ltd (WYNN) {After the close}

Tuesday: Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (CRZO), DIRECTV (DTV), Energy Transfer Equity LP (ETE) {After the close}, Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) {After the close}, Hecla Mining Co (HL), Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc (IVR), Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc (JAZZ), Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp (MRX) {After the close}, Molson Coors Brewing Co (TAP), OfficeMax Inc (OMX), Patriot Coal Corp (PCX), Quicksilver Resources Inc (KWK), Scotts Miracle-Gro Co (SMG), Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC), Walt Disney Co (DIS) {After the close}, Weingarten Realty Investors (WRI) {After the close}, XL Group PLC (XL) {After the close}, Youku Inc (YOKU)

Wednesday: Activision Blizzard Inc (ATVI) {After the close}, AOL Inc (AOL), BMC Software Inc (BMC), CenturyLink Inc (CTL) {After the close}, Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO) {After the close}, Dean Foods Co (DF), Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc (DTG) {After the close}, EOG Resources Inc (EOG), Flotek Industries Inc (FTK) {After the close}, Kronos Worldwide Inc (KRO), Macy's Inc (M), Mannkind Corp (MNKD) {After the close}, MEMC Electronic Materials Inc (WFR), Priceline.com Inc (PCLN) {After the close}, Sodastream International Ltd (SODA), Westar Energy Inc (WR) {After the close}

Thursday: ACCO Brands Corp (ACCO), Assured Guaranty Ltd (AGO) {After the close}, BPZ Resources Inc (BPZ), CA Inc (CA) {After the close}, Career Education Corp (CECO) {After the close}, Kohl's Corp (KSS), MBIA Inc (MBI) {After the close}, McDermott International Inc (MDR) {After the close}, Medical Properties Trust Inc (MPW), Molycorp Inc (MCP) {After the close}, Newcastle Investment Corp (NCT), Nordstrom Inc (JWN) {After the close}, Nuance Communications Inc (NUAN) {After the close}, Sotheby's (BID) {After the close}, Windstream Corp (WIN)

Friday: NVIDIA Corp (NVDA), Progressive Corp (PGR), Rentech Inc (RTK)

* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

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Monday
Consumer Credit @ 3:00 PM for March (Est. = $10.0B to $11.0B, Prior = $8.7B)

Tuesday
No announcements schedules.

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 05/05 (Est. = N/A, Prior = 0.9%)

Wholesale Inventories @ 10:00 AM for March (Est. = 0.6%, Prior = 0.9%)

Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 05/05 (Est. = N/A, Prior = 2.840M)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 05/05 (Est. = 365K, Prior = 365K)

Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 04/28 (Est. = 3,288K to 3,300K, Prior = 3,276K)

Trade Balance @ 8:30 AM for March (Est. = -$49.5B to -$49.9B, Prior = -$46.0B)

Treasury Budget @ 2:00 PM for April (Est. = N/A, Prior = -$40.4B)

Friday
PPI @ 8:30 AM for April (Est. = 0.0% to 0.1%, Prior = 0.0%)

Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for May (Est. = 75.0 to 76.2, Prior = 76.4)