This shortened week will have a few events on the economic and policy fronts. There will be only a few corporate news, including Levi Strauss & Co (NYSE: LEVI) that reports fiscal second-quarter earnings on Thursday along with Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST). On the same day Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) will be hosting an investor event, the EV Day 2021
Monday
The U.S. stock markets are closed on Monday due to Independence Day.
Tuesday
On July 6 th , we’re in for two reports. The Institute for Supply Management will release its Services Purchasing Managers’ Index for June whereas the Reserve Bank of Australia will announce its monetary-policy decision, as parts of the country have entered lockdown again to fight the Delta variant of Covid-19.
Wednesday
On July 7 th , the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee will publish minutes from its eventful mid-June meeting, when officials signaled that interest rates would rise sooner and faster than Wall Street had expected, with inflation rising at its fastest pace since 2008.
The BLS will release the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey for May with economists forecasting the figure to match the one from April which was the highest since the data were first collected in December 2000.
The Mortgage Bankers Association will report on mortgage applications for the week ending on July 2 nd . Supply constraints have pushed home-price growth to record levels, with mortgage applications declined 6.9% last week and falling during four of the past six weekly surveys.
Thursday
On July 8 th , we’re finally in for some earnings reports.
Levi Strauss’ growth rebound
Investors are expecting plenty of good news in Levi’s second quarter report that will be a test for the recent shares rally. Expectations are running high, especially after management lifted its outlook and raised the dividend in early April. Sales are expected to make a dramatic return to positive territory, with revenue surging 150% compared to the pandemic-disrupted period a year earlier. In April, CEO Chip Bergh revealed the retailing business is experiencing “faster-than-expected recovery” so investors are optimistic for a good reason.
The big questions heading into this week’s announcement include whether Levi’s avoided supply chain challenges that caused rising costs for Nike (NYSE: NKE) and Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU). But both of them were able to pass along price increases while keeping inventory levels in check, with profitability rising even as apparel giants were forced to rely on more-expensive air freight.
Levi’s gross profit margin will be the number to watch as profitability hit a new record last quarter thanks to the combination of rising prices and the shift toward e-commerce sales. Assuming Levi’s supply chain held up through the period, another record could be in the cards.
Most Wall Street pros are predicting sales will rise about 33% in fiscal 2021 after having declined 23% last year. The hope is not only a return to setting new sales records but doing so at higher profitability due to a positive selling environment. This week’s report should describe some of the best growth and earnings trends that Levi has ever posted.
Costco’s June sales
Investors will be eagerly following that report on guard for a growth slowdown as the prior report did not have such issues, with sales spiking 24% following a similarly strong period last year. The world’s second-biggest retailer is enjoying sustained demand spikes despite consumer spending patterns shifting away from essentials and toward more discretionary purchases, such as electronics and home furnishings.
The retailer’s June results could set the tone for the stock heading into the summer selling season with investors are currently expecting revenue to rise by 11% in the quarter that will end in August.
Stellantis’ EV Day
The automobile manufacturer formed earlier this year via the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE: FCAI) and Peugeot will be presenting its electrification strategy to its investors.
The Federal Reserve will report on consumer credit data for May. Back in April, total outstanding consumer credit was a record $4.24 trillion as the continued reopening of the economy and hot housing market fueled shoppers to take on more debt. The Department of Labor will report initial jobless claims for the week ending on July 3 rd .
Friday
We will be ending the week in Venice as Italy hosts a G20 summit of finance ministers and central bank governors, after 130 countries representing more than 90% of global GDP backed a minimum global corporate tax rate last week after two days of negotiations in Paris. The event will run from July 9th to July 10 th , with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen pushing for a global minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15% on behalf of the Biden administration.