The Fool's Look Ahead

Monday
The new trading week kicks off with biotech bellwether Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN). With blockbuster drugs such as Epogen and Neupogen on the market for ages, Amgen is more like a conventional drugmaker than it is an edgy biotech. Unfortunately, that also translates into sleepy fiscal performance these days. Analysts see Amgen earning $1.02 a share for the second quarter, down from last year's $1.12.

Tuesday
We're talking chicken wings for lunch on Tuesday, when Buffalo Wild Wings (Nasdaq: BWLD) delivers its quarterly results. The rapidly growing chain that serves up sizzling chicken wings and sauces hopes to buck the trend of lethargic eateries that have disappointed the market lately. Buffalo Wild Wings is expected to grow profits by 23% to $0.27 a share. We'll see how spicy Mr. Market likes it.

Wednesday
If you're able to pull up Akamai's (Nasdaq: AKAM) quarterly report quickly on Wednesday, you may as well thank, uh, Akamai. The content-delivery network leader specializes in serving up Web pages and digital files quickly and securely. The company had its hiccups recently, but it's back on the growth path. Wall Street's profit target is $0.41 a share for the second quarter, comfortably ahead of the $0.30 it earned a year ago.

Thursday
Thursday will be another day loaded with bellwethers. What's your fancy? Do you want a read on how gasoline companies are doing? ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) is pumped and ready. Want to see whether an old-school company can cut a new-school rug? Photo giant Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK) is ready for a snapshot. International Paper (NYSE: IP) is there, too, just in case you prefer pulp fact over pulp fiction.

Friday
The trading week ends -- and August begins -- with NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX). The company behind the New York Stock Exchange and a growing collection of foreign exchanges should see net income climb 20% to $0.78 a share. How are the markets holding up in these volatile times? What's next in the company's global acquisition strategy? Friday knows, but it's not telling.

Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz