Personal spending expected to show rise in August

Circuit City has said it will likely post stronger-than-expected results for the quarter ending Aug. 31. (Associated Press/file 2006)

TOMORROW

A Commerce Department report is expected to show automakers' incentives helped lift personal spending by 0.2 percent in August. But consumer spending still may stagnate this quarter.

Walgreen Co. releases fourth-quarter financial results. Analysts are expecting earnings per share of 45 cents.

Circuit City Stores Inc. releases second-quarter financial results. The retailer has said it will likely post stronger-than-expected results.

WEDNESDAY

The Institute for Supply Management's factory index probably slid to 49.5, from 49.9 in August, analysts say.

THURSDAY

Food and Drug Administration holds public hearing on the safety and effectiveness of cough and cold products for children.

Factory orders fell in August for the first time in six months, economists in the Bloomberg survey predict ahead of Commerce Department figures.

FRIDAY

The Institute for Supply Management's index for service industries is expected to decline to 50 from 50.6 the prior month.

Labor Department releases unemployment data for September. Payrolls probably fell by 105,000, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey.