Week Ahead: Investors Go for Quality, Assess Recovery

By: Patti Domm
Executive Editor

The stock market could trend higher as investors rotate into higher quality names. The market will be challenged by plenty of economic news in the coming week, as investors look for signs the recovery is taking hold. The most important headlines come Monday, first when October retail sales are released, then later in the day when Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke speaks to the Economic Club of New York. The dollar is also a key, and traders are watching the outcome of President Obama's trip to Asia and particularly his meetings in China early in the week.

A mall full of chain stores report third quarter earnings, so the approaching holiday shopping season will be an important focus. The S&P retail sector was one of the best performers in the past week, with the group gaining 3.3 percent. The Dow rose 2.5 percent to 10,270 for the week, giving it a 5.7 percent gain in the past two weeks. The S&P 500 jumped 24 points, or 2.3 percent to 1093. The best performing sector was materials, up 4.2 percent.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/33921058