Weekly Newsletter August 26th - September 1st

Current Events: The battle for the White House has become a growing factor in the market. With little news coming from earnings, economic data, or abroad, many investors will look to U.S. politics to gauge the current health of the economy.

What to Look for This Week

For the 10th day this month, NYSE volume has come in below 3 billion shares traded for the day. The last time such an occurrence was recorded in the NYSE was September 2007. At this pace, this month will be the lowest volume of the year.

News Affecting the Markets

With Hurricane Isaac hitting Louisiana today as a category 1 hurricane oil futures are quickly rising. The spike is undoubtedly tied to concerns that the hurricane is affecting oil production out of the Gulf of Mexico.

Smart Investing

Control Credit Cards before Investing: Any profitable trader or investor knows that you must only use disposable income when aggressively participating in the markets. However, for some it's not that easy as credit card debt has eliminated such options. For this reason it is clear that if you want to get ahead financially you want to use credit cards and not let credit cards use you. Of course, as mentioned, this is easier said than done. Try to only spend money that you have. If you struggle with spending control, keep your credit limit low. Utilize only relevant credit card rewards and pay off your balance every single month. Do not let your balance become outstanding as this compiles quickly. If credit card debt is a struggle even after wise adjustments, be weary of seeking financial resolve from participating aggressively in the markets as buy and sell decisions can be clouded.

Earnings for the Week

Monday: Perfect World Co Ltd (PWRD) {After the Close}, PVH Corp (PVH), Seadrill Ltd (SDRL), Tiffany & Co (TIF)

Tuesday: Brown Shoe Co Inc (BWS)

Wednesday: Collective Brands Inc (PSS), H.J. Heinz Co (HNZ), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd (JASO), Joy Global Inc (JOY), Pandora Media Inc (P) {After the Close}, Vera Bradley Inc (VRA) {After the Close}

Thursday: Ciena Corp (CIEN)

Friday: Rosetta Genomics Ltd (ROSG)
* Earnings dates and times are subject to change

Economic Data this Week

Monday
No announcements scheduled.

Tuesday
Case Shiller 20-city Index @ 9:00 AM for June (Est. = -0.3%, Actual = 0.5%)
Consumer Confidence @ 10:00 AM for August (Est. = 65.7 to 66.5, Actual = 60.6)

Wednesday
MBA Mortgage Index @ 7:00 AM for 08/25 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -7.4%)
Pending Home Sales @ 10:00 AM for July (Est. = 0.0%, Prior = -1.4%)
Crude Oil Inventories @ 10:30 AM for 08/25 (Est. = n/a, Prior = -5.412M)
Fed Beige Book @ 2:00 PM for August

Thursday
Initial Claims @ 8:30 AM for 08/25 (Est. = 370K, Prior = 372K)
Continuing Claims @ 8:30 AM for 08/18 (Est. = 3300K, Prior = 3317K)

Friday
Chicago PMI @ 9:45 AM for August (Est. = 53.0 to 53.8, Prior = 53.7)
Michigan Sentiment @ 9:55 AM for August (Est. = 73.6 to 74.0, Prior = 73.6)
Factory Orders @ 10:00 AM for July 8 (Est. = 2.0% to 2.1%, Prior = -0.5%)