By Michael Calia
Markets get back to business after a brief holiday break, and
much of the focus will be on customer traffic in stores and online
with retailers offering a slew of new deals coming Cyber
Monday.
The Labor Department, meanwhile, is scheduled to report nonfarm
payrolls data for November, headlining the slate of economic data
for the coming week.
On the earnings front, Jos. A Bank Clothiers Inc. (JOSB),
Aeropostale Inc. (ARO), Guess (GES), and Kroger Co. (KR) are among
the bigger names expected to report.
Finally, auto makers are expected to report light-vehicle sales
for November.
Jobs Data and GDP
The Labor Department gets back on its normal schedule of
reporting monthly nonfarm data on the first Friday of every month.
The unemployment rate is expected to tick down to 7.2%, while the
economy is expected to have added 180,000 jobs in November, lower
than October's figure of 204,000, according to economists.
The second look at third-quarter U.S. gross domestic product is
expected Thursday. Economists expect the annual rate of growth will
be revised to an estimate of 3.2% from 2.8% a month ago.
Eyes on Jos. A. Bank Amid Takeover Drama
The tables have turned as former takeover target Men's Wearhouse
Inc. (MW) has now proposed instead to buy Jos. A. Bank, which is
expected to report earnings Thursday. The company earlier this
month said it expected to post better-than-expected earnings in its
fiscal third quarter on the strength of higher total sales.
Teen Retailers and Others
Struggling Aeropostale, which is being pressured by a
shareholder to sell itself, leads the pack of teen retailers
expected to report during the week. The company in August issued
downbeat guidance for the fiscal third quarter, saying it expected
to post a loss of 21 cents to 26 cents a share.
Fellow teen-apparel American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (AEO), Zumiez
Inc. (ZUMZ) and Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. (PSUN) are
expected to post earnings, as well.
Other notable companies expected to report quarterly results in
the week ahead: Guess, Kroger, Dollar General Corp. (DG), Big Lots
Inc. (BIG) and Diamond Foods Inc. (DMND).
Monthly Auto Sales
Data on vehicle sales for November are expected to be released
Tuesday. Edmunds.com expects new U.S. auto sales to jump 4.7% in
November compared with the year-earlier period, as shoppers take
advantage of holiday promotions.
Write to Michael Calia at michael.calia@wsj.com
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