NEW YORK - Wall Street is set for a deluge of earnings this week that should keep investors focused on what corporate America says about the US economic outlook as the Dow average edges closer to the 12,000 mark.
More signs of optimism could extend the stock market's rally, putting
the Dow Jones industrial average above the 12,000 mark for the first time in its 110-year history.
Corporate comments that underscore the view that the US economy is slowing too fast while inflation is still a concern could stall the rally, which has driven the blue-chip Dow average to record highs over the last two weeks.
"Earnings get into full force ... and I don't expect any major surprises. But I would look to see how this earnings season plays itself out," said Barry Hyman, equity market strategist at EKN Financial Services Inc. in New York.
The full earnings slate includes results from two Dow components, financial services behemoth Citigroup Inc.
