The Fool's Look Ahead

Monday
Turn off CNBC. It's Labor Day. The market's closed. OK, technically it's the stateside markets that will be closed in observance of the holiday. It's business as usual for the rest of the world, including a few companies you may know, like France's Vivendi, reporting their quarterly results.

Tuesday
The market kicks off its shortened trading week on Tuesday. Filtration equipment specialist Donaldson (NYSE: DCI) reports at the end of the day. Wall Street sees the company's earnings climbing 15% to $0.61 a share for the period. Shareholders shouldn't be too worried. Donaldson has met or exceeded analyst expectations in each of the past 11 quarters.

Wednesday
If you're in the mood for Chinese growth stocks, Wednesday's got Shanda Interactive (Nasdaq: SNDA) and Mindray Medical (NYSE: MR) on the menu. Shanda is a fast-growing leader in Web-based multiplayer games, a very popular niche in the country's packed Internet cafes. Mindray makes medical devices. Both companies should post healthy quarterly results, with Shanda and Mindray investors expecting bottom-line growth of 21% and 11% respectively.

If you prefer your investments to be based closer to home, check out office supply superstore chain Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) and tax prep giant H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). After you do, consider a little global diversification, because we live in a pretty big world these days.

Thursday
Glutton for punishment? Step right up to hear Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) chime in. The homebuilder has posted three consecutive losses, and Thursday's report will likely keep the red-ink streak going. If folks are having a hard time moving existing homes, it's going to be hard to move freshly constructed properties.

Friday
Few companies chance their earnings report on Fridays, much less on a holiday-shortened week. Get an early start on the weekend if you want. Head out to the multiplex to catch any of the summer blockbusters that you may have missed. The market can wait.

Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz