3 Stocks to Watch Next Week

While many big name companies have already reported earnings, next week is still jam-packed with earnings reports. On Thursday, networking giant Cisco Systems will release its fiscal first quarter results, the second report under new CEO Chuck Robbins. Cisco is growing again following a sluggish 2014, and investors should look for continued revenue growth during the first quarter.

Also on Thursday, semiconductor equipment companyApplied Materials will report its fourth quarter results. Applied Materials has seen its stock tank so far this year, despite generally positive results but capital spending cuts at semiconductor manufacturers cloud the company's near-term results. Applied Materials' guidance may prove to be overly optimistic.

On Friday, beleaguered department store J.C. Penney is set to report before the market opens. J.C. Penney has been making progress in its turnaround efforts, but the company is still losing money, and a return to profitability is likely still years away.

Click through the following slideshow for an overview of why Cisco, Applied Materials, and J.C. Penney are three stocks to watch next week.

The article 3 Stocks to Watch Next Week originally appeared on Fool.com.

Timothy Green owns shares of Cisco Systems. The Motley Fool recommends Cisco Systems. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.