Players will have a few good reasons to tune in to the week of news that is waiting to happen.
Monday
The games start early as Hasbro
Mattel was one of Philip Durell's first recommendations for his Inside Value newsletter. The stock has risen by 12% since it was singled out back in September. Both companies have had their share of ups and downs over the years. You can't always have the hot toy. The popularity of video games has sometimes left the companies alone with their playthings.
These aren't necessarily catastrophic events, especially if you are a contrarian investor. That's because there is always an opportunity as Hasbro and Mattel fall in and out of favor. The companies can be exciting. Hasbro even launched a site to sell directly to the consumer earlier this year. Yes, Hasbro and Mattel love to play. They play to win, too, because they can really be sore losers.
Tuesday
If having Hasbro and Mattel report on the same day spoils you, how about Intel
Does AMD's strong showing bode well for the sector, or was it the result of nibbling away at Intel's market share? That's the question that Tuesday will answer. Intel is coming off a solid March quarter, so momentum may indicate that all of the chip ships are starting to rise with the favorable wave.
Wednesday
Just because eBay
Thursday
If cash is king, Microsoft
Mr. Softy is still that dominant software company that you have grown to love -- or loathe. It's got a pretty nifty video game console business going these days, too. However, that stagnant share price has many speculating about when the company will put its cash balance to good use by making a major acquisition. Thursday is unlikely to produce any clues on that front. A three-month snapshot will have to suffice. Then again, you never know. It doesn't hurt to listen. That crown must be awfully heavy.
Friday
Soaring prices at the pump got you down? That won't take away Schlumberger's
Want to learn more about the companies waiting to report earnings this week? Check out:
- Hasbro's Dot-Com Death Star
- Is There Value Inside Intel?
- Forecast for eBay: Slower Growth
- Microsoft's Next Target
- Schlumberger: Top Pick?
Until next week, I remain,
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz still smiles at the toy store. He does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned 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.