5 Dates for Savvy Investors to Circle in November

www.halowaypoint.com Let's check out some of the potentially market-shaping events that will take place in the coming weeks. Nov. 10 It's been a rough year for 3D Systems (DDD). One of the leaders in the 3-D printing revolution, it saw its stock get hammered in 2014 after soaring ninefold in the previous three years. 3D Systems announced preliminary quarterly results late last month, but it will be kicking off next week with its official third-quarter report. It won't be pretty. Printers that crank out physical objects still intrigue the early adapters, but the business has yet to cross over and become a mass-market industry. Nov. 11 Microsoft (MSFT) has been a laggard in this generation of video game consoles, with its Xbox One not selling as well as the PlayStation 4. However, momentum has started to turn in Microsoft's favor in this country, and that shift could accelerate when "Halo: The Master Chief Collection" hits the market next week. The new game will only be available for Xbox One, leaving Xbox 360 owners who are fans of the series with a meaty incentive to upgrade. The Xbox One was released a year ago this month, and proprietary games could help woo gamers who have been slow to embrace Microsoft's new console. Nov. 19 Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR) has been a market darling for a while, dominating the single-serve coffee market with its Keurig platform. It has had its bumps along the way. The market figured that Keurig would struggle after its key K-Cup patents ran out two years ago. However, the company bounced back with stronger licensing relationships, unveiling new platforms -- Keurig Vue and Keurig 2.0 -- that have new clocks on patent protection. The java heavyweight will have the market's attention after the market close on Nov. 19, when it reports quarterly results. Analysts predict an 11 percent uptick in revenue. They also foresee profitability taking a step back as it pushes out new products. It should be a highly caffeinated report. Nov. 28 The markets will be closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 27, and the next day will belong to shoppers. Black Friday is the launch of the holiday shopping season, and while many retailers are now opening as early as Thursday night, it's on Friday morning that some of the biggest deals are to be found. It's not just shopping centers and strip malls that will be busy. Industry tracker Comscore reported late last year that online sales placed from PCs during Black Friday last year totaled nearly $1.2 billion. That's 15 percent ahead from a year earlier, and that doesn't include the growing usage of smartphones, tablets and other mobile gadgetry. Nov. 30 We should have a new captain on the bridge for Carnival (CCL) by the end of the month. The world's largest cruise line operator announced that CEO Gerry Cahill will retire on Nov. 30. Carnival ran into some rough waters after its Costa Concordia capsized in early 2012, killing 32 people. Carnival's reputation then took a hit closer to home after a couple of unfortunate incidents during Caribbean sailings left passengers stranded at sea or without some travel essentials. Carnival has been bouncing back with revenue and earnings moving higher this fiscal year. It should announce Cahill's replacement soon. More from Rick Aristotle Munarriz
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