You've heard of a bull in a china shop? Well, the week ahead brings bulls in China, and shops, but thankfully not both at once.
Monday
Coming off a strong April, in which same-store sales soared 10.4% higher, cheap-chic discounter Target (NYSE:TGT) will mark the new trading week with its Monday-morning report.
Tuesday
If one glimpse into discount department-store retailing isn't enough, wait a day for Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) to join Target in announcing its April-quarter financials.
The newly minted Inside Value pick is the world's largest retailer, and at times its most controversial. Whether it's the company's hiring practices or its expansion strategies, one has to wonder if Wal-Mart -- and not Target -- should be the one with the bulls' eye logo. The company is trading at historically low multiples at the moment; a robust report might be just the tonic to whip the cynics back into shape.
Wednesday
You won't need to pack a passport -- or a translator -- when two of China's more dynamic companies update investors on their March quarters. Shanda Interactive (NASDAQ:SNDA) and Ctrip (NASDAQ:CTRP) will post Wednesday, and many in Fooldom will be tuning in. Online gaming specialist Shanda is a Rule Breakers pick, and online travel maven Ctrip made the cut earlier this year in the Hidden Gems newsletter service.
Thursday
Where art thou, Michael Dell? The company he founded now leads the PC market, having achieved amazing efficiency with its consumer-direct model. It may have been neglected by the market in recent years, but let's not write off Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) just yet. The dual Motley Fool Stock Advisor and Inside Value recommendation will hopefully shed some light on the state of the computing industry. Too many investors are spooked over the delayed release of Windows Vista. They fear that PC growth will stall until early next year, as potential computer buyers hold back on purchasing new systems this year in favor to grabbing systems pre-installed with Vista come winter.
Is it true? Will Dell warn? Where art thou, Michael Dell? Thursday knows.
Friday
We close out a trading week that's ripe with retailers with a report from Ann Taylor (NYSE:ANN). The specialty apparel chain was tripped up over the holidays, and shareholders will be hoping that the company doesn't become another fashion disaster in a fickle mall-based world.
Until next week, I remain,
From the superb small caps of Hidden Gems to the daring growth stocks of Rule Breakers, you can get full access to the Fool's stable of market-stomping newsletter services with a free 30-day guest pass.
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. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.
