Retail Sales, Earnings Reports Expected

Key barometers of Americans’ spending habits -- and insight on the health of the economy -- are scheduled this week.

Coming Thursday is the federal government’s report on retail sales for October. Last week, U.S. retailers posted mostly higher same-store sales, allaying fears of a disastrous holiday season.

Also coming this week will be earnings reports from retail heavyweights, including No. 1 retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Wednesday and discounter Target Corp. on Thursday.

Also on the agenda is Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan’s testimony Wednesday before the congressional Joint Economic Committee, in which he is expected to discuss last week’s bigger-than-expected half-percentage-point interest rate cut.

Other key reports this week:

* Thursday, the Commerce Department will report on import prices for October.

* Friday, the Commerce Department will report on business inventories during September.

The Fed will report on industrial production in October.

The Labor Department will report on October producer prices.

The University of Michigan will release its preliminary consumer sentiment index for November.