There's never a dull week on Wall Street. Let's go over some of the news that will shape the week to come.
Monday
The new trading week kicks off with Red Hat (RHT) reporting. The provider of enterprise software solutions based on open-source platforms will check in with its fiscal second-quarter financials. Red Hat's been able to grow in this climate, offering companies cheaper software solutions than traditional offerings.
Analysts see revenue and earnings per share climbing 15% and 18%, respectively.
Tuesday
Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL 1.49%) has faced rough seas since last year's tragic Costa Concordia accident and this year's embarrassing power failure at the Carnival Triumph. Carnival will offer up an updated snapshot on how it's trying to woo back consumers to the high seas when it reports on Tuesday.
Last week, Carnival introduced an ambitious guarantee, offering dissatisfied travelers a 110% refund and transportation home if they want to leave a sailing within the first 24 hours. This move probably indicates that bookings and the rates that berths are being booked at probably haven't been too favorable lately.
Wednesday
Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) steps up on Wednesday. The leading dedicated retailer of housewares has probably benefited from the housing boom. Folks moving into new digs need shower-curtain rods, comforters, and kitchen appliances to personalize their new digs. It will also be good timing for Wednesday's report, coming a day after two of the larger homebuilders post their quarterly financials.
Analysts see Bed Bath & Beyond's earnings climbing 17% during the period, and they see sales growing at half that rate.
Thursday
Investors have been drawn to Ferrellgas Partners (FGP) primarily for its big payouts. The propane-gas distributor is set up as a limited partnership, passing on the bulk of its income to investors, and right now that translates into a solid 8.9% yield.
Ferrellgas has been able to grow through acquisitions in this highly fragmented industry, and that should continue in the future. The company reports on Thursday, and its performance will dictate which way that healthy yield ultimately goes.
Friday
The market is typically quiet on Friday, but that won't stop BlackBerry (BB -0.69%) from reporting.
The smartphone pioneer is in trouble. The Z10 was critically praised when it hit the market earlier this year, but folks weren't buying. BlackBerry has lost market share, and now it's hoping that the new and larger Z30 will give it another shot to regain its relevance.
Along the way you have a company that's cutting costs and possibly sprucing itself up for a suitor. Will one come? If so, who? BlackBerry is unlikely to have the answers on Friday, but analysts and investors will have plenty of questions.
