Key Economic Reports and Earnings to Watch in the First Week of March
As investors enter the first week of March, all eyes will be on key economic indicators and corporate earnings releases that could shape market sentiment. Among the most anticipated reports is the U.S. February jobs report, which is set to be released on Friday. This data will provide crucial insights into the labor market’s strength and potential implications for Federal Reserve policy.
Additionally, purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data for February will be released on Monday by S&P Global and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), offering insights into economic activity in the manufacturing and services sectors. Meanwhile, factory orders and durable goods order statistics for January are scheduled for Wednesday, potentially indicating trends in business investment and consumer demand. In Europe, inflationInflation refers to the rate at which the overall price levels of goods and services increase, gradually reducing purchasing power over time. It is commonly measured using indices … data for February will be released on Monday, and retail sales figures for the month will be available on Thursday, giving investors a better understanding of the region’s economic trajectory.
Major Corporate Earnings to Watch
Several high-profile companies are set to release earnings next week, with investors paying close attention to results from CrowdStrike, Broadcom, Target, Costco Wholesale, and Kroger. Each of these companies plays a significant role in its respective industry, and their financial performance could provide insights into broader economic trends.
Target: Navigating a Challenging Retail Environment
Target Corporation is one of the most noteworthy names on the earnings calendar, with the discount retailer set to report its fourth-quarter results before the market opens on Tuesday. The company has faced headwinds in early 2024, with its stock declining approximately 7% year-to-date, factoring in both price changes and dividends. Analysts project that Target will report earnings of $2.25 per share on revenue of $30.85 billion.
As a major player in the retail sector, Target’s earnings results will be closely watched to gauge consumer spending patterns amid inflationary pressures and shifting retail dynamics. Investors will be looking for signs of margin improvements, inventory management, and the company’s ability to sustain growth in its private-label brands. With the retail sector in flux, Target’s performance could set the tone for other consumer-facing businesses.
Broadcom will represent the technology sector on the earnings calendar when it unveils its fiscal first-quarter results after Thursday’s market close. Analysts expect the semiconductor giant to report earnings of $1.51 per share, marking a 37.3% year-over-year increase, on revenue of $14.6 billion, representing a 21.7% rise from the prior year.
Broadcom remains a crucial company for investors to follow due to its exposure to the artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing industries. Demand for Broadcom’s chips remains strong, particularly from hyperscale data centers, which are ramping up AI investments despite concerns over DeepSeek competition. The company also benefits from its push to transition VMware customers to a subscription-based model, which could provide a stable revenue stream. Additionally, Broadcom’s involvement in the recently announced $500 billion Stargate Project adds another layer of optimism surrounding its growth prospects.
Costco: Strength in Membership-Based Retail
Costco Wholesale Corporation is another major company set to report earnings next week, with its fiscal second-quarter results scheduled for release after Thursday’s market close. Analysts project earnings of $4.10 per share, a 4.6% increase year-over-year, on revenue of $68.3 billion, reflecting a 7.8% rise.
Costco has long been viewed as one of the most resilient players in the retail sector, benefiting from its strong membership-based business model and ability to offer competitive prices. Wall Street remains optimistic about the stock, with 18 out of 39 analysts covering the company rating it a “Strong Buy” and another seven giving it a “Buy” rating. Investors will be particularly focused on the company’s ability to sustain its comparable-store-sales growth and drive market share gains amid ongoing economic uncertainty. The company’s strong brand loyalty and superior merchandising strategy continue to make it an attractive investment in the retail space.
Kroger: Stability Amid Market Volatility
Kroger, one of the largest grocery retailers in the U.S., is also slated to report earnings on Thursday. The company has remained a stable force in the consumer staplesConsumer staples stocks represent companies that produce or sell essential goods and services that people consistently buy, regardless of economic conditions. These include product… sector, benefiting from consistent demand for essential goods. Investors will be watching closely to see how Kroger navigates pricing strategies and competition in a shifting retail landscape. The company’s ability to manage supply chain costs and maintain competitive pricing will be key factors in its long-term growth prospects.
Other Notable Earnings Reports Next Week
In addition to these major players, several other companies will report earnings throughout the week, spanning multiple sectors. On Monday, companies like Plug Power, Okta, GitLab, AST SpaceMobile, California Resources, and Surgery Partners will release their financial results.
Tuesday will bring earnings reports from ON Semiconductor, CrowdStrike, Sea Ltd., AutoZone, Best Buy, Ross Stores, and Nordstrom. The semiconductor industry, in particular, will be in focus with ON Semiconductor’s results providing insight into the chip market’s performance.
Wednesday will see earnings from Abercrombie & Fitch, Foot Locker, Marvell Technology, Veeva Systems, Victoria’s Secret, Zscaler, Brown-Forman, and Campbell’s. The retail sector will be under scrutiny as apparel companies look to rebound from challenging economic conditions.
On Thursday, companies including BigBear.ai, Cracker Barrel, Broadcom, Costco, Gap, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Kroger, Burlington Stores, and BJ’s Wholesale Club will report their results. Tech investors will be closely following Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s earnings to assess trends in the IT and cloud infrastructure space.
Finally, on Friday, Algonquin Power & UtilitiesUtility stocks represent shares of companies that provide essential services such as electricity, water, natural gas, and telecommunications. These companies typically operate in r… and Genesco will close out the week with their earnings reports, with investors paying attention to utility sector stability and consumer discretionary spending trends.
Key Themes to Watch
As the first week of March unfolds, investors will be watching a combination of economic data and earnings reports to gauge the health of the market. The February jobs report will be a crucial indicator of labor market trendsUnderstanding market trends is a critical component for businesses conducting industry analysis. For example, Netflix identified early on the growing demand for streaming services … and potential Federal Reserve policy shifts, while corporate earnings from major companies like Target, Broadcom, Costco, and Kroger will provide valuable insights into the strength of the retail and technology sectors. With AI investments, consumer spending patterns, and inflationary pressures all playing a role in market dynamics, the upcoming week is set to be a pivotal one for investors.
Lance Jepsen is the senior personal finance writer for Guerilla Stock Trading who has spent more than 25 years covering the stock market and economics. In addition, Lance has worked as a private stock analyst for a number of high worth individuals.
