The government today is often blamed for causing economic uncertainty, which some point to as the source of all the economy's woes. But there's a deeper issue in play than the fact that we have to guess what's coming next: The problem is the bias in our guesses.

Northrop Grumman depends on government contracts for more than 90% of revenue, making talk of cutting the budget deficit a prickly subject. Here's how the defense contractor plans to stay in the game and how it will affect earnings.

Grocery chain Supervalu reported a net income of 31 cents per share this morning for the last quarter, which ended May 10, a 40% decline year-over-year. An after-tax charge of 12 cents per share that brought the figure down, but the quarter was still a disappointment.

Domino's upcoming earnings report will show whether customers have really taken to the chain's new, improved pizza recipe, or if recent sales gains were just an advertising-driven blip.

Things are looking up for America's largest beverage maker, thanks to thriving global sales and smart diversification into noncarbonated, less sugary drinks.

PepsiCo will announce its second-quarter numbers on Tuesday, and analysts expect earnings per share of $1.07 to $1.10, up from $1.02 a year earlier. If they're right, it will mark a continuation of the company's stable period of success. But PepsiCo's management is thinking bigger.

Analysts forecasts range from 26 cents per share to 56 cents. However, if the actual figure is anywhere within that range, it will be a marked improvement over last year's earnings of 8 cents per share in the same quarter.

From 1998 to 2009, annual fireworks industry revenues more than doubled. Last year's take was $945 million, up from $940 million in 2008. Even a devastated economy couldn't slow growth.

On Friday, after the market closes, the Russell Investment Group will announce how it will rebalance its indexes in the annual event known as the Russell Reconstitution, the ripple effects of which will be felt as a brief, high-energy tremor through the stock markets.

Sonic fell short of earnings expectations for the third quarter, a victim of recession and as its drive-in restaurant model starts to fray around the edges. However, it could taste new success if the new marketing chief, Danielle Vona, lives up to her record at PepsiCo.