Weekly Outlook

Click here for a weekly market preview by MarketWatch.

Click here for stocks in focus for Monday by MarketWatch.

There are some economic reports of note and a few significant corporate earnings reports scheduled for release this week.

Economic reports for the week include:

Mon. – None of note

Tues. – Weekly retail sales reports, IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, Pending Home Sales

Wed. – Weekly EIA energy inventory data, weekly MBA mortgage applications report, Wholesale Inventories, Monthly Budget Statement

Thur. – Trade Balance, Import Price Index, Initial Jobless Claims

Fri. – Producer Price Index, Advance Retail Sales, Univ. of Mich. Consumer Confidence, Business Inventories

Some of the more noteworthy companies that release quarterly earnings this week are:

Mon. – National Semi(NSM), H&R Block(HRB)

Tues. – Autozone(AZO), Toro Co.(TTC), John Wiley(JW/A), Cooper Cos(COO), Kroger Co.(KR)

Wed. – Korn/Ferry(KFY)

Thur. – Ciena Corp.(CIEN), Martek Biosciences(MATK), Costco Wholesale(COST)

Fri. – None of note

Other events that have market-moving potential this week include:

Mon. – (MET) investor day, Illinois Tool Works analyst meeting, IBC Life Sciences Biopharma Manufacturing and Development Summit, UBS Media/Communications Conference

Tue. – Campbell Soup analyst meeting, UMH Properties investor forum, Sonoco Products analyst meeting, Delta Air analyst meeting, ArvinMeritor analyst day, Agilent analyst meeting, IBC Life Sciences Biopharma Manufacturing and Development Summiut, Merrill Lynch Small-cap investor forum, UBS Media/Communications Conference, Barclays Tech Conference

Wed. – Owens & Minor investor day, Parker Hannifin analyst meeting, VistaPrint analyst meeting, Principal Financial Group analyst meeting, Yum! Brands analyst conference, UBS Media/Communications Conference, RBC Healthcare Conference, Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference, Barclays Tech Conference

Thur. – Belden Analyst Day, Dreamworks Animation analyst day, Danaher analyst meeting, Regency Centers analyst day, United Technologies investor day, Procter & Gamble analyst meeting, Barclays Tech Conference, RBC Healthcare Conference, Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference, Keybanc Engineering/Construction Conference

Fri. – Harsco Corporation analyst meeting

BOTTOM LINE: I expect US stocks to finish the week higher on seasonal strength, diminishing financial sector pessimism, lower mortgage rates, lower commodity prices, bargain-hunting, short-covering and less forced selling. My trading indicators are giving mostly bullish signals and the Portfolio is 100% net long heading into the week.