THE WEEK AHEAD

Some of the major business and economic events scheduled for this week:

TODAY

National Assn. of Realtors releases figures on existing-home sales for September.

TUESDAY

Labor Department releases third-quarter employment cost index.

Conference Board issues results of monthly survey on the economy.

WEDNESDAY

Commerce Department releases durable-goods report for September.

Federal Reserve Board releases “beige book” survey of regional economic conditions.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan addresses congressional Joint Economic Committee.

THURSDAY

Labor Department releases weekly figures on jobless claims.

Commerce Department releases report on new-home sales.

FRIDAY

Commerce Department releases figures on gross domestic product for third quarter.