NEW YORK - Investors are looking for glimmers of economic hope in the everyday basics, from cereal to pens to cleaning supplies.

Consumers worried about jobs and tight credit have not only cut back on big-ticket items like sofas but also scaled back on the daily necessities. They're buying less and switching to lower-priced store brands.

This week's second-quarter earnings reports include results from companies that directly or indirectly serve the consumer, including Colgate-Palmolive Co.; Sealed Air Corp., the maker of Bubble Wrap; Dow Chemical, which makes base products for a wide array of everyday items; and Newell Rubbermaid, manufacturer of office supplies, tools and cleaning and home storage items. They should serve as barometers of how much Americans are willing to spend and, because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic growth, shed some light on the timing of a recovery.

Results at Colgate-Palmolive, known for its namesake toothpaste and dish soap, and cereal maker Kellogg should reveal whether shoppers are still cleaning out their cupboards of food and household products before buying any new items. If consumers are starting to stockpile again, that could show they're feeling more confident about their financial security.

At family entertainment powerhouse Walt Disney Co., analysts will be watching for signs that more people are going to the movies, buying toys and visiting theme parks.

Here's a look at some of these purveyors of products that affect consumers' everyday lives and what their earnings might tell us:

The Walt Disney Co.

- Why it's important: The family entertainment conglomerate which owns the Disney movie studio and theme parks, as well as ABC, ESPN and the Disney Channel, is a yardstick for the health of many businesses that rely on consumer spending: movies, theme parks, toys and advertising.

- When it will report: Thursday, July 30.

- What the experts say: On average, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect Disney to post a profit of 50 cents per share on revenue of $8.82 billion. In the same quarter of last year, the company reported a profit from continuing operations of 62 cents per share on revenue of $9.24 billion.

- You'll know the economy is improving if: Disney beats profit expectations. Also, if the company doesn't announce more job cuts, it may be a sign the economy has hit bottom.

- You'll know the economy is not improving if: Advertising revenue declines further than expected, signaling that businesses are still wary about spending money. Ad sales are expected to be down 10 percent for broadcaster ABC and off in the single-digits at ESPN.

- The quote: "We see continued signs of stability in the marketplace, but that stability is coupled with a continued caution on the part of consumers. We also see that same sort of caution in terms of the advertising market ... I don't feel like it's just a 'snap-back-to-normal' sort of situation," Disney Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs said at an investors conference in June.

Newell Rubbermaid Inc.