Content, chicken, and construction will color in the week that lies ahead.
Monday
Even though CNET Networks (NASDAQ:CNET) is no longer associated with last year's wild buyout rumors, that's actually a blessing now that we can dissect the online content juggernaut for its organic worth as a stand-alone company. CNET kicks off the new week with its March quarter report, and even though the story over the past few quarters has been the huge growth at Webshots.com, now we can kick the tires to see how the company's ability to monetize its booming traffic is coming along.
Even though CNET has produced a profit for six consecutive quarters, analysts expect a $0.02-per-share loss for this recent Rule Breakers newsletter service stock pick.
Tuesday
You may not be familiar with Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ:BWLD), but the fast-growing chain of casual eateries that serve up chicken wings dipped in signature sauces is a pretty popular company to Motley Fool Hidden Gems subscribers. Tom Gardner singled out the company a couple of years ago, and it continues to grow briskly. Analysts expect the company's bottom line to improve by 36% for a $0.38-per-share quarterly profit showing come Tuesday.
If you're looking for a bigger name stepping up to the podium, be on the lookout for online retailing bellwether Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) to produce its first-quarter financials. The longtime Stock Advisor pick is coming off a healthy 2005, and it will be interesting to see whether new initiatives like its Amazon Prime membership service are paying off here in 2006.
Wednesday
There will be more than 100 public companies chiming in with quarterly numbers on Wednesday, but the one that intrigues me the most is Pulte Homes (NYSE:PHM). Like most leading homebuilders, the company has had fantastic results in the past, but investors feel as if higher borrowing rates will send home prices lower. That's why you'll see investors focusing more on the company's outlook and backlog of new home orders than on the company's actual trailing performance.
Thursday
If you like your software companies the way I like my pancake stacks -- and that's pretty darn big -- then you'll want to tune in to Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) quarterly report on Thursday. After freaking out the market last month by delaying the release of its Vista operating system platform, you can bet that analysts will want a little more visibility out of the company as to how these next few quarters will shape up.
Some folks think the company is geared for a turnaround. Philip Durell, our resident value stock guru with the Inside Value newsletter, singled out the stock as an attractive investment last year.
Friday
Can a company that provides online shoppers with great deals on closeouts and manufacturer overruns also be a good buy for investors? That's what we'll find out on Friday, when Overstock.com (NASDAQ:OSTK) reports its first-quarter numbers. A steep loss is expected, but that's fine, because Overstock is in the seasonally sluggish part of its fiscal calendar. I'd say more about the former Rule Breakers recommendation, but I hate getting sued. Just kidding! You know I would never keep a bold opinion from you.
What I'm hoping to hear out of Overstock on Friday is a sound strategy to get the company back to profitability for the 2006 holiday season. You know, a little more Patrick Byrne and a little less cash burn.
Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz recommends windshield wiper fluid when trying to look forward. He does not own shares in any of the companies in this story. The Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick is also part of the
Rule Breakers
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