Jobs Data, Jos. A. Bank, Auto Sales -- Week Ahead

   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 [e-mail]

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