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The Week Ahead: What Will December Jobs Data Reveal?

Friday's payroll and unemployment report will show if private-sector job growth continued to slow in December from 2015 levels. Plus, earnings from Walgreens and Constellation Brands.

The Week Ahead: What Will December Jobs Data Reveal?

For Morningstar, I'm Scott Halver, and welcome to The Week Ahead.

2017 will kick off with some closely watched reports on the health of the employment market and the industrial sector.

The payroll and unemployment report on Friday will reveal if private-sector job growth continued to slow in December from 2015 levels. Morningstar's Bob Johnson says there might not be many reasons to cheer recent employment reports, but that they are strong enough to keep the Fed's rate hike plans on track.

The ISM Index on Tuesday and Friday's factory orders will provide a snapshot of the manufacturing sector. Other economic data includes auto sales and the ISM services gauge.

There won't be much in the way of earnings, but there are a handful of updates due. Walgreens investors will be eyeing pharmacy pricing and the firm's cost-cutting plan on Thursday. They will also be looking for more information on the status of the Rite Aid merger in light of recently announced store divestitures. 

Constellation Brands, which also reports on Thursday, has been in focus recently over concerns that changes to trade laws could have a larger impact on the firm given the significant amount of its beer it exports from Mexico to the U.S.

Stay tuned to Morningstar for our take on these stories.

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