Monday
The new trading week kicks off with the Big Mac of fast-food stocks reporting. McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) is looking to post a profit of $0.71 a share for the fourth quarter, 16% higher than last year's showing. Naturally, the company will get questions on its initiative to roll out premium coffee products later this year. Mickey D? A barista baron? Who would have thought it possible?
If you're looking for something a little more tech and a little less burgerish, virtualization-software pioneer VMware (NYSE: VMW) reports just as Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is threatening to make a bigger play on VMware's turf.
Tuesday
Is Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO) the new Spinal Tap amplifier? "This one goes to 11" has become a corporate policy at the struggling search giant. Analysts expect Yahoo! to earn $0.11 a share for the recently concluded fourth quarter. If it hits the mark, Yahoo! will have earned exactly $0.11 a share in six of the past eight quarters. Come on, Yahoo! Break out this rut, and show a little originality here.
Wednesday
Bang a gong, it's Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN). The country's leading online retailer checks in and lets us know that there's life after Harry Potter. The company already provided a sneak peek into its brisk holiday sales. Wednesday simply makes the news official.
Thursday
True to form, Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) chimes in two days after Yahoo!, if only to slap down its rival by letting us know that the Internet is still a growth platform. Earnings are projected to soar 39% higher at Google to $4.43 a share for the period. No 11s there.
Friday
The final trading day of the week pulls over for a fuel stop with Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM). The company that's laughing its way to bank as we pay more than $3 for a gallon of gas is expected to see a 15% gain on the bottom line for the quarter.
Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz
