The Week Ahead: Manufacturing, Consumption Data in Spotlight

Jeremy Glaser: Welcome to The Week Ahead. It's a busy data week as we enter March, while retail earnings will continue to trickle in.

Purchasing managers indexes have been rising since the election, and we'll see if that continues with Wednesday's ISM Index. We'll also see some other readings on the strength of the manufacturing sector from durable goods orders and auto sales this week.

For the consumer, the marquee report will be the consumption numbers, also due on Wednesday. This data set also provides the inflation gauge which is the most closely watched by the Fed.

Other releases in the week include the second estimate of fourth-quarter GDP, pending home sales, and the ISM Services index.

On the earnings front, retailers Target, Best Buy, Lowe's, and Costco are all set to report. We'll also get an update from undervalued beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev, and we'll see how Oprah's involvement is helping Weight Watchers.

Stay tuned to Morningstar for our take on these stories.