Next week will showcase significant business happenings and important economic metrics that could influence market dynamics.
One anticipated highlight is the release of Netflix’s financial performance for the fourth quarter, scheduled for Tuesday after market close.
Analysts anticipate the streaming giant will announce earnings of $4.20 per share, with expected revenues reaching about $10.1 billion.
If achieved, this would represent an improvement compared to the same period last year.
Investor attention is particularly focused on the growth of Netflix’s subscriber base during the fourth quarter, as the third quarter saw a notable slowdown in growth, declining by 42% compared to the previous year.
Another key economic indicator to watch for is the monthly index of leading economic indicators from the Conference Board, set for release on Wednesday.
Economists forecast that the index will remain unchanged from November’s figures, which experienced a modest increase of 0.3%, marking the first positive monthly change since February 2022.
This index, which utilizes various already reported data points, serves as a predictive tool for economic trends expected in the next three to six months.
Historical data for the leading indicators indicate fluctuations in monthly percentage change: July saw a drop of 0.5%, August dropped by 0.3%, September decreased by 0.4%, October dropped by 0.4%, November experienced a rise of 0.3%, and estimates suggest December will hold steady at 0.0%.
Additionally, the National Association of Realtors will publish its latest update on U.S. home sales on Friday.
Analysts predict that sales of previously occupied homes may have dipped last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.03 million, reflecting ongoing challenges in the housing market.
High mortgage rates, climbing home prices, and a limited inventory have deterred potential homebuyers, continuing a trend of declining sales that began in 2022.
Recent adjustments in existing home sales, expressed in millions and seasonally adjusted at an annual rate, are as follows: July recorded 3.96 million, August registered 3.88 million, September showed 3.83 million, October noted 3.96 million, November had 4.15 million, and forecasts for December are set at 4.03 million.
