Markets close March with Small Rally

The Dow ended up 46 points during the Monday session putting its March totals at -3.5 points or a whopping -0.03%. A similar story for the Nasdaq as the 18 point positive day put its month returns at +7 points or +0.3%. Not exactly eye opening moves for a month long period that saw some heavy volatility, especially in the Financial and Energy sectors.

Making news in market action today were a couple Drug names as Vytorin, a cholesterol drug from Merck (MRK) and Schering-Plough (SGP), was mixed-up in a high-stakes sales and research scandal. News came out that an investigation into the drug research revealed the companies delayed and withheld information about the drug due to its potential impact on sales. It goes without saying that the research in question was overtly negative towards the drug.

Investors don't like scandals and the resulting publicity and sales hit was taken harshly as Merck was hit by 15% while Schering-Plough fell 24%. The resulting sell-off made some Pharma-Sector money move around with a main beneficiary today being Pfizer (PFE), with its own set of positive news, up 2%.

Disclosure: Author owns PFE

Earnings Preview: Week of Oct 22nd

To say the Markets took a breather Friday would be a grave understatement. The selling was balanced, on heavy volume and carried on throughout the day. The major indices; Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P were all lower about 2.5%. Earnings season continues this week and more major companies will have the spotlight on them.

The week kicks off Monday with Computer and iPod/iPhone maker Apple Inc. (AAPL) reporting what is wildly expected to be another blowout earnings number for Technology stocks. Drug makers will also see action this week as Merck (MRK) and Schering-Plough (SGP) report Monday as well with Amgen (AMGN) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) set to follow later in the week.

AT&T (T) looks to capitalize on the popular iPhone as it highlights a busy Tuesday and software giant Microsoft (MSFT) headlines another busy earnings Thursday. Aerospace will feature also Lockheed Martin (LMT) reports as does Boeing (BA)

Investors and Traders will be looking for earnings to set a positive direction in order to drive further gains well into the Fall. Friday's pause was seen as healthy profit taking with a very cautious undertone. If the general earnings trend continues to be above-expectations than the market should have little resistance upwards, possibly no matter what the Fed does at its next Interest Rate decision.

Earnings Week: July 23-July 27

Some earnings of note for the week of July 23rd to the 27th

Monday July 23
Merck (MRK): expected $0.72/share

Tuesday July 24
AT&T (T): expected $0.67/share
LeggMason (LM): expected $1.24/share

Wednesday July 25
Akamai (AKAM): expected $0.30/share
Apple (AAPL): expected $0.72/share
Baidu (BIDU): expected $0.43/share
Colgate-Palmolive (CL): expected $0.83/share
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK): expected $0.94/share

Thursday July 26
ExxonMobil (XOM): expected $1.94/share

Interesting week ahead as more financials and world banks report, and big oil takes center stage later in the week with Exxon. All eyes will be on AT&T and Apple for an incling of how well the iPhone sold in the first 2 days of its launch.