Catalyst watch: Tesla deliveries, Walmart event and jobs report headline big week
TERADAT SANTIVIVUT

Welcome to Seeking Alpha's Catalyst Watch - a breakdown of some of next week's actionable events that stand out. Check out Saturday morning's regular Stocks to Watch article for a full list of events planned for the week or the Seeking Alpha earnings calendar for companies due to report.
Monday - April 3


Volatility watch - Short interest on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is elevated amid the company seeing strong interest from suitors to set up the potential for sharp share price swings. C3.ai (AI) has also seen short bets pile up higher following the recent ChatGPT-inspired rally. Options trading has spiked over the last week on Metropolitan Bank Holding (MCB) and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSSE).

Earnings watch -  Notable companies due to report include Science Applications (SAIC) and Digital Ally (DGLY).

Healthcare watch -  The World Vaccine Congress will feature appearances by a large number of healthcare companies, including Vaxart (VXRT), Tonix Pharmaceuticals (TNXP), Vaxxinity (VAXX), Sanofi (SNY), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Moderna (MRNA), Zoetis (ZTS), and Oragenics (OGEN).

Data reports -  Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Rivian Automotive (RIVN) will report Q1 deliveries during the first few days of April. General Motors (GM) and Ford (F) will issue Q1 U.S. sales reports, while Chinese automakers Nio (NIO), Li Auto (LI), and XPeng (XPEV) will post monthly delivery reports. Also watch for the monthly updates on Macau gaming revenue, discount broker DARTs, Nielsen sales, Class 8 truck sales, and National Instant Criminal Background Check System firearm checks. In addition, some airline companies could issue guidance resets alongside their monthly traffic reports.

Tuesday - April 4


Earnings watch -  Notable companies due to report include MSC Industrial (MSM), Dlocal Limited (DLO), Smart Global (SGH), and Lindsay (LNN). Options trading implies a double-digit move for Kirkland's (KIRK) after it reports.

All day -  Academy Sports and Outdoors (ASO) will host its first-ever Analyst + Investor Event. The Academy management team will present and discuss the retailers' new long-range strategy plan

8:00 a.m. NeoGenomics (NEO) will host an Investor Day event with presentations by executive team members and a Q&A session.

8:00 a.m. Donaldson Company (DCI) will host an Investor Day in Bloomington, Minnesota. The executive management team will provide an in-depth review of the companyâs strategy, growth drivers, and financial objectives, as well as key initiatives related to innovation and ESG.

10:00 a.m. Domo (DOMO) will hold an investor and financial analyst session. The company has updated guidance at similar events in the past.

10:00 a.m. Progress (PRGS) will host a virtual Investor Day that will include information about the company's Total Growth Strategy and plans for fiscal year 2023 and beyond.

2:00 p.m. Yext (YEXT) will host an Investor Day event. Shares of Yext fell 11% in the week after the company's last similar event.

Wednesday - April 5


Earnings watch -  Notable companies due to report include Conagra Brands (CAG), Simply Good Foods (SMPL), and Seadrill Limited (SDRL).

All day -  Waste Management (WM) will host a virtual sustainability investor day focused on the companyâs investments and growth opportunities in its renewable energy and recycling businesses. Shares of Waste Management rallied more than 5% the last time it held a similar event.

8:00 a.m. Walmart (WMT) will host its 2023 Investment Community Meeting with presentations being webcast from CEO Doug McMillon, CFO John David Rainey, and the companyâs business unit CEOs for Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Samâs Club. Shares of Walmart have rallied in the past when new product and service initiatives were announced at the annual investor event.

Postmarket - Costco (COST) will report on monthly sales with analysts watching closely for signs of consumer demand cracking.

Thursday - April 6


Earnings watch -  Notable companies due to report include Constellation Brands (STZ), Lamb Weston (LW), and Levi Strauss (LEVI). Options trading implies a double-digit swing for ClearSign Technologies (CLIR) after it reports. The stock dropped 16% the day after its last earnings report.

All day - Absci Corporation (ABSI), Nautilus Biotechnology (NAUT), and Quantum-Si incorporated (QSI) will appear at the B. Riley Securities' Life Sciences Tools Conference. The panel discussions will cover insights from proteomics and advances in AI into drug discovery and innovation.

9:00 a.m. St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard will give a presentation on the U.S. economy and monetary policy. The inflation hawk has said recently that monetary policy can continue to put downward pressure on inflation.

Friday - April 7


All day -  The U.S. stock markets will be closed for observance of the Good Friday holiday.

All day - The Rogers Communications (RCI)-Shaw Communications merger is expected to close.

8:30 a.m. The U.S. jobs report for March will be released despite the stock market being closed. Nonfarm payrolls are expected to rise by 240K for the month after a 311K increase in February and 517K (revised) jump in January. The unemployment rate is seen holding steady at 3.6%. Average hourly earnings are expected to rise 0.3% month-over-month, but the year-over-year rate is forecast to moderate to +4.3% from +4.6% in February.

11:00 a.m. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index will be released. On a year-over-year comparison, seven of eight major market segments saw seasonally adjusted prices that were again lower for the first half of March, but the full month pricing trends will still be closely watched. Cox Automotive will hold a call to discuss the reading and industry trends for the first quarter.