The Week Ahead For November 20-24

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 100 and NASDAQ 100 were higher for the week. The Russell 2000 was higher as well.

1.Geopolitical and Fiscal Events. Monday sees ECB Head Draghi testify in Brussels. Tuesday sees Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen speak at New York University. Wednesday sees the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) release their latest minutes.

2.Economic Releases. Releases of note this week include the weekly chain store sales, oil/gas numbers, mortgage applications, jobless claims and.

3.Earnings Releases. Notable releases include INTU A MDT CRM DE RMX.

Monday, November 20

Markets are closed in Brazil and Mexico.

European Central Bank (ECB) Head Mario Draghi testifies before the Committee of Economic Monetary Affairs in Brussels.

October Leading Indicators are released at 10:00 a.m. EST and are expected to rise to 0.7% from -0.2%.

Tuesday, November 21

Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen speaks at New York University’s Stern School of Business.

October Existing Home Sales are due out at 10:00 a.m. EST and are expected to rise to 5,440,000 from 5,390,000.

Wednesday, November 22

Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes from the last meeting are released at 2:00 p.m. EST.

October Durable Goods are due out at 8:30 a.m. EST and is expected to drop to 0.3 % from 2.0%.

November Michigan Sentiment is due out at 10:30 a.m. EST and is expected to rise 98 from 97.8.

Thursday, November 23

Markets are closed in the United States for Thanksgiving while Japanese markets are closed for Labor Thanksgiving.

Friday, November 24

Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season. 50% of consumers up from 44% are expected to shop. Retailers via Market Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) do well seasonally into December 4th before they begin a period of seasonal weakness that lasts into January 20th.