SFD

A quiet week for earnings, along with new reports on consumer credit, consumer sentiment, economic optimism, wholesale trade, the U.S. trade balance and federal budget balance, should give the stock markets a chance to settle down after last week's volatility.

Smithfield Foods reported an upswing in profits for its fiscal first quarter Wednesday as costs fell and sales rose. The CEO touted strength in pork and hog production segments.

On tap: The Federal Reserve's next Beige Book report, which compiles anecdotal information on current economic conditions from each of the 12 Federal Reserve Bank districts, and results from Smithfield, Talbots and Men's Warehouse.

Sasha Obama loves peanut butter sandwiches, eating them "several times a week," according to President Obama's weekly address on Friday. So when Obama announces his policies for food safety, it's with her very much in mind. When he first heard the news of the Peanut Corporation of America...