Funnel cakes and oil funnels will play bit parts in the week of news that is waiting to happen.
Monday
Will Mr. Six break out into another one of his happy dances? The energetic Six Flags (NYSE:PKS) marketing mascot may be nibbling his nails when the regional amusement park chain reports on its June quarter numbers to kick off the new trading week. The company has had a nasty habit of starting off well but fading badly during the pivotal summer operating season.
However, there are a few reasons to get excited this time around. The Mr. Six campaign that was initially launched last year was the company's first national attack in seven years. The company also has some favorable momentum from its year-round destinations. Yes, the company was dealt a bit of a blow when Kingda Ka -- the world's largest coaster -- was out of commission through most of the early summer season at its Six Flags park in New Jersey. However, the company's chainwide commitment to customer service this year should be rewarded by patrons. The company has a lot of debt on its books, but it's also sitting on some choice real estate.
Tuesday
It started with a mouse, but now Disney (NYSE:DIS) is hungry for some cheese. The family entertainment giant is hoping that its CEO transition from Michael Eisner to Robert Iger goes off as smoothly as its operations. That's because Disney has been humming along nicely. ABC is a respectable network again. Its theme parks are filling up with tourists looking to take part in Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration. Its Disney Store division is no longer a drag since Children's Place (NASDAQ:PLCE) is running the show there these days.
If Disney nails Wall Street's target of $0.39 a share for its fiscal third quarter, it will be a record showing for the company.
Wednesday
There was a time when your home computer wasn't a home computer unless it was packing a Creative Technology (NASDAQ:CREAF) soundcard. Well, a lot has changed since the time when Creative's Sound Blaster ruled computerized audiophiles. The Singapore-based company is now making all forms of computer peripherals and digital entertainment gizmos such as MP3 players.
Investors could use some good news when Wednesday rolls around with the company's quarterly report. That's because the stock has been cut in half since January. Back in June the company warned that the quarter's sales would climb by only 50%. Only 50%? Yes, I know. That still sounds pretty good. However, the market was expecting for the top line to surge as much as 85% higher. Disappointment? It's always relative.
Thursday
How many times have you heard the Michael Dell story? You know, the one about the ambitious college kid who started his business assembling personal computers out of his University of Texas dorm room? Yikes! I guess you just heard it again. That company is Dell Computer (NASDAQ:DELL) today. As the world's leading PC maker, lapping a Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) in rebuilding mode, Dell's been able to master the art of working lean to deliver custom-ordered machines at attractive prices. Come Thursday, Michael will let us know what else he has been building at Dell.
Friday
Taking flight is what Embraer (NYSE:ERJ) is all about. The Brazilian jet maker has been busy filling orders and growing through choice accounts with the airlines that are actually still building out their fleets. Profits have been lumpy, but that will improve once the air carrier carnage gets sorted out and healthy players remain airborne. Earlier this year the company had a whopping $9.9 billion in jets on order. Friday is when the company will shed some light on its latest quarter. Don't' forget your boarding pass.
Embraer and Dell have both been beating the market since they were selected last year as stock recommendations in Motley Fool Stock Advisor. And, no, there is no story about some college kid in Brazil piecing planes together in his dorm room. It would be pretty neat if that were true, though.
Want to learn more about the companies waiting to report earnings this week? Check out:
Until next week I remain,
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz couldn't even piece together his term papers while in his dorm room. Rick does own shares in Disney and Six Flags. T he Fool has a disclosure policy. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.
