Wall Street This Week: Pepsi Pops, Skype Updates
From the world's second-largest soda company reporting what should be a quarter that will be more flat than fizzy to a popular video chat platform updating its software, here are some of the things that will help shape the week that lies ahead on Wall Street.
Monday -- One Word: Plastics
The new trading week kicks off quietly with A. Schulman (SHLM) reporting its latest quarter's results on Monday afternoon. The Ohio-based maker of high-performance plastic compounds and resins is expected to post a slightly higher profit than it did during the same period a year earlier, but Wall Street pros also see a small decline in revenue.
A. Schulman will chime in with its report after Monday's market close, but its conference call to discuss its financials won't take place until Tuesday morning.
Tuesday -- Skype Out
%VIRTUAL-WSSCourseInline-990%Microsoft (MSFT) is retiring what it calls the "modern" Skype application for PCs on Tuesday. Anyone still using it by then will be automatically directed to download the updated version of the traditional desktop application.
Skype is phasing out the modern platform that was intended for touch-based use ahead of this summer's rollout of Windows 10. The updated desktop app works with mouse, keyboard, and touch as input options. It also enhances Skype with screen-sharing and free group-calling features.
Wednesday -- Aluminum Foils
Wednesday finds Alcoa (AA) reporting quarterly results. It pioneered aluminum 125 years ago, and these days it watches over several lightweight metals that are incorporated across industrial, travel and consumer electronics industries. This makes Alcoa a great proxy for the state of the global economy.
Thursday -- Pop Star
PepsiCo (PEP) reports quarterly results Thursday morning. Soda consumption has been declining for years, but the world's second largest soft drink company has been able to diversify into growing beverage lines and salty snacks.
It hasn't been enough to offset the slide in flavored carbonated beverages. Analysts see revenue and profitability clocking in lower than it did a year earlier.
Friday -- Despicable Fleet
The latest entry in the "Despicable Me" franchise hits movie theaters Friday. Comcast's (CMCSA) Universal is the studio behind the computer-animated "Minions" release, and it's been putting plenty of promotional muscle behind the full-length feature film.
Several weeks ago, Universal struck a deal with Amazon.com (AMZN) for Minions-themed shipping boxes. That was a first for the leading online retailer. "Minions" should fare well in what's been playing out as a refreshingly successful summer at the multiplex.
Motley Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Amazon.com and PepsiCo. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days, and click here to check out our free report for one great stock to buy for 2015 and beyond.
