Weekly Newsletter August 12th - August 18th

Current Events: Last week proved to be a very choppy week in the financial markets as investors seemed uncertain on the long-term direction and stability of the U.S. and global economy.

What to Look for This Week

The plethora of retail giants announcing earnings this week indicates that the end of the summer earnings season is fast approaching. Popular retailers, Wal-Mart, Target, Gap, and Saks are just a few of the household names which will release highly anticipated earnings this week.

News Affecting the Markets

Groupon, whose shares have already plunged nearly 70% over the last six months, took a further tumble after its release of its second quarter earnings following the closing bell Monday. While better-than-expected profits were announced, a gloomy third quarter forecast has set the stock on track to hit a record new low on Tuesday.

Smart Investing

Structured Settlements: Typically paid out in response to personal injury claim, a structured settlement is a series of relatively small, periodic payments meant as a steadier alternative to the lump sum for one who doesn’t want all of their eggs in one basket. However, this is not meant to imply that structured settlements are only given to injured unfortunates, as lottery winners who choose to gradate their winnings into a series of weekly or monthly payments, for example, are also owners of structured settlement agreements. Structured settlements are not ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than other formats of payment; they, like any other payment plan, meet the need of a specific demographic of people. If you are currently in the process of receiving some money and have the opportunity to decide upon how it will be distributed to you, then give structured settlements the consideration they rightfully deserve. They are equally capable of making a good situation better and compensating for harm wrongfully done to one’s physical or mental well being.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Groupon Inc (GRPN) {After the close}, Sysco Corp (SYY)

Tuesday: Dick's Sporting Goods Inc (DKS), Estee Lauder Companies Inc (EL), Home Depot Inc (HD), Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (KORS), Nationstar Mortgage Holdings Inc (NSM), Saks Inc (SKS), The Valspar Corp (VAL), TJX Companies Inc (TJX)

Wednesday: Abercrombie & Fitch Co (ANF), Agilent Technologies Inc (A) {After the close}, Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO) {After the close}, Deere & Co (DE), Limited Brands Inc (LTD) {After the close}, NetApp Inc (NTAP) {After the close}, PetSmart Inc (PETM) {After the close}, Target Corp (TGT), VimpelCom Ltd (VIP)

Thursday: Aeropostale Inc (ARO) {After the close}, Brocade Communications Systems Inc (BRCD) {After the close}, GameStop Corp (GME), Gap Inc (GPS) {After the close}, Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT)

Friday: ANN INC (ANN), Foot Locker Inc (FL)
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No announcements scheduled.

Tuesday
Retail Sales @ 8:30 AM for July (Est. = 0.0% to 0.2%, Prior = -0.5%)
PPI @ 8:30 AM for July (Est. = 0.2%, Prior = 0.1%)
Business Inventories @ 10:00 AM for June (Est. = 0.2%, Prior = 0.3%)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 08/11 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -1.8%)
CPI @ 8:30 AM for July (Est. = 0.2%, Prior = 0.0%)
Empire Manufacturing @ 8:30 AM for August (Est. = 5.0, Prior = 7.4)
Industrial Production @ 9:15 AM for July (Est. = 0.6% to 1.0%, Prior = 0.4%)
Capacity Utilization @ 9:15 AM for July (Est. = 79.3% to 79.4%, Prior = 78.9%)
NAHB Housing Market Index @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 35, Prior = 35)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 08/11 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -3.729M)

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 08/11 (Est. = 365K to 368K, Prior = 361K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 08/04 (Est. = 3300K, Prior = 3332K)
Housing Starts @ 8:30 AM for July (Est. = 763K to 770K, Prior = 760K)
Building Permits @ 8:30 AM for July (Est. = 750K to 770K, Prior = 755K)
Philadelphia Fed @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = -5.0%, Prior = -12.9%)

Friday
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for August (Est. = 71.0 to 72.2, Prior = 72.3)
Leading Indicators @ 10:00 AM for July (Est. = 0.2%, Prior = -0.3%)