Week ahead: jobs, Google earnings and Iowa votes
While Washington will be focused on the president's State of the Union speech next week... the eyes of Wall Street will be on the economy... as the all-important jobs report is released Friday.
Net hiring is expected to jump to 165,000 in January and the unemployment rate likely rose to 3-1/2 percent. But keep a watch on wages. Consumers propped up the economy in 2019 - any sign of a slowdown in wage growth is likely to fan fears the economy could slow even more than thought in 2020.
Ahead of the jobs report, purchasing management indexes from the manufacturing and services sector will provide updates on business sentiment since the U.S. reached a phase one trade agreement with China.
Earnings season reaches the half-way point in the coming week.
Google parent Alphabet kicks it off after the closing bell on Monday. Analysts are keen to see how Alphabet is coping with increased regulatory scrutiny and any uptick in spending tied to that.
Walt Disney dominated the box office last year and its Disney+ streaming service had a solid start. The media and entertainment giant will give an update on Tuesday.
Also on that day: Ford, followed by General Motors on Wednesday.
Other names to watch include Twitter on Thursday. Dunkin' Brands and Yum Brands also report. Watch for any new developments on the growing plant-based meat segment.
Two wild cards for the market next week: Updates on the coronavirus and U.S. politics. The Democratic race for the party's nomination begins in earnest with the Iowa caucuses.
