Next Week's News Today: Bank Angst Story Continues

If it is Thursday, then it must be time for Why You Care's futures calendar.

Two important earnings reports are due next week: Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Why You Care always notes that these reports are a game of expectations, and thus you've seen a few stories already out this week. However, there's another key factor... Lehman Brothers. What's going on with Lehman Brothers this week and next will inevitably frame how journalists will cover Goldman and Morgan Stanley.

Here's why you care: Companies will be successful in framing the story by saying it isn't simply about a game of expectations, but that we're in a better spot than Lehman Brothers. You care because Lehman's woes will create exceptionally high interest from journalists for close scrutiny of the reports and challenging of the spin. Result for next week: Likely excellent pieces looking at the financial health of not only Goldman and Morgan Stanley, but where the financial sector stands going into the Fall. That's a win for the investor/reader.

All the days are noted below for the reports including housing numbers on Wednesday and unemployment on Thursday. Taken together this is fertile ground to ask candidates financial questions on the campaign trail.

MONDAY 9/15
Earnings: Titan Machinery Inc.

Economic Reports: Industrial Production


TUESDAY 9/16
Earnings: Best Buy, Kroger Co., Goldman Sachs

Economic Reports: Consumer Price Index


WEDNESDAY 9/17
Earnings: General Mills, Morgan Stanley, Orleans Homebuilders

Economic Reports: Building Permits, Housing Starts

THURSDAY 9/18
Earnings: FedEx, Palm Inc., Pier 1 Imports Inc.

Economic Reports: Initial (unemployment) Claims


FRIDAY 9/19
TBD as of now.