Weaker-than-expected results from Dell (DELL) pushed the tech sector lower Friday, which in turn sent the broad market skidding into the red. Disappointing results from builder D.R. Horton (DHI) also weighed on sentiment, adding to worries the real estate market will continue to hamper a recovery in the U.S. economy. European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet spooked the markets as well today after saying the the bank could soon begin unwinding stimulus measures that were installed during the peak of the financial crisis. The U.S. greenback spiked higher against the euro on the report, and commodities such as oil turned lower as a result.
Next week will see trade in the U.S. shortened by the Thanksgiving day holiday on Thursday. Markets will be closed Thursday and equities will trade for just a half-day on Friday.
There will still be plenty of news-drivers for traders to play in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. On Monday, Hewlett-Packard (
HPQ), Brocade Communications (
BRCD), LDK Solar (
LDK) and Tyson Foods (
TSN) will issue quarterly results. On Tuesday, American Eagle Outfitters (
AEO), Barnes & Noble (
BKS), Blue Coat Systems (BCSI), Borders Group (
BGP), Coldwater Creek (
CWTR), Heinz (
HNZ), J Crew Group (
JCG) and Medtronic (
MDT) are slated to post financials. Wednesday will see the release of quarterly reports from Deere & Co. (
DE) and Tiffany & Co.
