Monday
Dollar General (NYSE: DG) kicks off the new trading week with its quarterly report.

The thrift-store chain returned to the equity market after a privatization stint last November. It's been a good time to be known for bargains, and shareholders who got in on last year's IPO at $21 aren't complaining.

Tuesday
Toro (NYSE: TTC) and H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) check in on Tuesday.

Investors shouldn't put too much weight in the sharp projected loss of $0.38 a share for H&R Block. The accounting giant is at the other end of its lucrative tax-preparation season. Turf tamer Toro, on the other hand, is expected to reverse a year-ago loss with a modest profit. 

Wednesday
Martek Biosciences (Nasdaq: MATK) reports on Wednesday. The maker of nutritional products from microbial sources is targeted to earn $0.37 a share in its latest quarter, just ahead of the $0.33 it rang up during last year's fiscal fourth quarter.

Thursday
National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM) and Borders Group (NYSE: BGP) are on the earnings calendar for Thursday. There's little in common between the integrated-circuits specialist and the struggling bookseller.

National Semiconductor should post improving bottom-line results, while Borders may simply be holding out for a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

Friday
It's usually quiet on Fridays this time of year. One of the few companies reporting is Investors Real Estate Trust (Nasdaq: IRET). The REIT owns income-producing properties, primarily in the upper Midwest, and recently was yielding a healthy 7.7%.

Until next week, I remain,

Rick Munarriz

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