Earnings Report

U.S. cruise operator Carnival Corp reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by higher prices and lower fuel costs.

BlackBerry posted a quarterly net loss on Friday, mainly from restructuring and acquisition-related costs.

Earnings need to improve before the market can go higher.

“Houston, we have a problem”….

Alcoa Inc. said its fourth-quarter revenue slumped 18% amid sharply lower aluminum prices. Shares rose 1.9% to $8.15 in after-hours trading as adjusted per-share earnings beat expectations. 

GameStop, the world's largest retailer of video games, forecast first-quarter revenue below analysts' estimates, blaming a lack of major videogame releases and weaker hardware sales.

General Mills, the maker of Cheerios cereal and Yoplait yogurt, reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, as its cost-cutting programs helped reduce the impact of weaker sales in the United States.

Nike, the world's largest footwear maker, reported quarterly revenue that missed analysts' estimates as a strong dollar hurt sales from some of its overseas markets.

Tiffany & Co. (TIF) on Friday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $163.2 million.

Discount retailer Dollar General's quarterly sales rose 7 percent as demand increased for items such as candy and snacks, perishables, tobacco and food.

What do the economy and the markets have in store for us next week? Here are five things to look for.

A Federal Reserve meeting, another second quarter GDP number and lots more earnings highlight next week’s economic calendar.

Investors will have their hands full next week digesting news out Greece, testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and bank earnings reports.      

The first-quarter earnings season will be underway in the middle of next week as Aloca reports its latest numbers.In addition, traders will get the latest look at the Fed's thought process from its most recent meeting minutes.

The Federal Reserve meets next week and the focus will once again be the timing of interest rate hikes. Also out next week is important housing data and a report on GDP.

The Federal Reserve’s policy-setting committee meets next week and investors will once again be looking for clues as to the timing and trajectory of interest rate hikes.  

An appearance by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen before Congress, a handful of economic reports and lots of earnings will garner investors’ attention next week.  

The April jobs report, a statement by the Federal Reserve on future monetary policy and many more earnings reports highlight a very busy week for economic data.

The Fed guessing game – will they or won’t they – will occupy investors next week as central bankers decide whether to continue scaling back their long-running easy money policies. Plus earnings from Apple, Facebook and Amazon.