Wall Street This Week: Facebook Displays, GameStop Plays
From the leading video game retailer expected to post strong earnings growth in its latest quarter to a developer powwow at the world’s leading social networking operator, here are some of the things that will help shape the week that lies ahead on Wall Street.
Monday — Feeding Time
The new trading weeks kicks off with Luby’s Cafeteria (LUB) posting quarterly results. Beyond the namesake chain of 95 cafeterias, Luby’s also owns 72 Fuddruckers burger joints, eight Cheeseburger in Paradise casual-dining restaurants and a Bob Luby’s Seafood Grill.
These aren’t the best of times for Luby’s. It has posted losses in four of the past five quarters, and a small deficit is expected this time around, too.
Tuesday — Sonic Boom
Don’t assume that Ronald McDonald’s ailments are contagious. Sonic (SONC) is rolling these days, and on Tuesday it pulls up with its latest quarterly results. The chain of 3,500 drive-in restaurants is expected to post double-digit year-over-year growth on both ends of the income statement. Sonic may have throwback charm, but there’s apparently some real appeal in retro dining. Sonic saw comparable-restaurant sales soar 8.5 percent in its most recent quarter.
Wednesday — Friend Request
Facebook (FB) kicks off its annual F8 conference. The two-day event in San Francisco will unveil new tools for developers, and it’s usually a safe bet that there will be a newsworthy announcement or two out of Facebook.
It only helps that Facebook has acquired some intriguing properties over the years, making this expo about more than just social networking. Facebook’s photo-sharing Instagram and virtual reality leader Oculus will also be there to peel back the curtain on what they’ve been up to these days.
Thursday — Game On
GameStop (GME) is a surprising survivor in the retail space. With so many console games being delivered digitally, do we really need the leading chain devoted to servicing die-hard gamers? Well, as it turns out, there’s still good money to be had in providing young gamers a trade-in option for older wares. It also doesn’t hurt that rent for its small-box stores in strip malls is typically reasonable.
GameStop reports on Thursday afternoon. Analysts are holding out for a slight dip in sales during the holiday quarter, offset by an uptick in profitability.
Friday — Coming Home
Financial struggles at DreamWorks Animation (DWA) have resulted in the computer animation studio putting out just one theatrical release this year, and that will be “Home,” hitting a multiplex near you on Friday.
Naturally, there’s a lot riding on the movie since DreamWorks doesn’t have another flick coming out until “Kung Fu Panda 3” rolls out next March. Unlike the established franchise with the martial arts-fueled panda, “Home” is an unproven property, and it’s rolling out at a time when movie theater attendance is shrinking.
Opening weekend box office tallies don’t often move studio stocks, but the variables here make DreamWorks Animation a likely candidate for a big move higher or lower the following week based on how “Home” fares with audiences.