Wall Street Week Ahead

Wall Street Breakfast5.74M FollowersSubscribe5ShareSavePlay(5min)Comments Listen on the go! A daily podcast of Wall Street Breakfast will be available by 8:00 a.m. on Seeking Alpha, iTunes, Spotify. D-Bittel/iStock via Getty Images Up for a challenge? Test your knowledge on the biggest events in the investing world over the past week. Take the latest Seeking Alpha News Quiz and see how you stack up against the competition. Wall Street heads into the holiday-shortened week with investors focused on a heavy slate of economic data and ongoing volatility in energy markets tied to Middle East tensions. Markets will close Friday for Good Friday, though the March jobs report will still be released. Economists are expecting 56K job additions and the unemployment rate to hold at 4.4%. Ahead of that, investors will parse a series of data releases, including consumer confidence, JOLTS job openings, retail sales, and ADP employment figures, for further clues on the health of the economy.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s appearance Monday will also be closely watched for signals on policy. On the corporate front, Nike (NKE) headlines earnings on Tuesday, with its outlook on China demand and consumer trends likely to have read-through for companies such as Starbucks (SBUX) and Estée Lauder (EL). Other reports from Conagra Brands (CAG), Lamb Weston (LW), and Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) will provide additional insight into consumer spending. Energy markets remain a key swing factor, with Brent crude futures (CO1:COM) expiring Tuesday amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty. Elsewhere, Tesla (TSLA) and other automakers will report monthly delivery data, while AXT (AXTI) and Bloom Energy (BE) are flagged for elevated volatility based on options activity. Earnings spotlight: Tuesday, March 31: Nike, Beyond Meat (BYND). See the full earnings calendar. Earnings spotlight: Wednesday, April 1: ConAgra, Lamb Weston, Cal-Maine Foods. See the full earnings calendar. In case you missed it 20 dividend stocks to watch as the Middle East conflict continuesCiti's large-cap stocks with negative ROE trendsBest Buy a target for GameStop?CRFB proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100K for wealthy couplesGoogle reveals algorithms to address AI memory challengesU.S. bans new foreign-made routers over security risks Investing Group Spotlight Jussi Askola, who leads High Yield Investor, is one of Seeking Alpha’s leading REIT-focused analysts with nearly 70,000 followers. HYL helps investors identify high-quality real estate opportunities for high sustainable income. The service offers three model portfolios, real-time buy and sell alerts, and in-depth research. Members also gain access to an active chat room and direct interaction with Jussi and his team for ongoing insights, guidance, and a more hands-on investing experience.Here’s his latest take on the Next 3 REIT Buyout Targets:(Free Full Article) M&A activity in the REIT sector is accelerating as private equity firms target undervalued assets. Recent deals, including Public Storage’s (PSA) acquisition of National Storage Affiliates (NSA) and Brookfield’s (BAM) purchases, highlight a trend of buyers paying significant premiums. Despite these premiums, acquirers see value because many REITs are trading at 20–40% discounts to their net asset values after a prolonged downturn.This environment is expected to drive further consolidation.

Shurgard Self Storage (SSSAF) is a prime target, given its discount and Public Storage’s existing stake. Whitestone REIT (WSR) has also attracted interest from major firms like Blackstone (BX) and TPG (TPG), with a potential sale offering additional upside.

Rexford Industrial Realty (REXR), though larger, could also be targeted due to high-quality assets temporarily weighed down by market conditions.Overall, while these REITs remain solid standalone investments, buyouts could unlock value faster, offering investors meaningful upside alongside steady dividend income.Gain access to Jussi Askola and the High Yield Landlord team for exclusive REIT research and high-yield investment strategies. Unlock their Top Picks for 2026 and real-money portfolios, along with in-depth analysis and buy/sell alerts. For a limited time, join with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a $100 anniversary discount. Subscribe to access proven income strategies and uncover undervalued real estate opportunities. Learn more >> Insider Watch Check out the week's top insider trades, highlighting significant purchases and sales by investors, directors, and executives. Notable transactions took place at Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and Dell Technologies (DELL). What SA Analysts Are Watching What AI's Threat Might Do To The March 2026 Job ReportStagflation Worries: The March Labor Market PreviewNike Q3 Earnings Preview: I Wouldn't Expect Any Major Upside Anytime SoonConagra Brands: I'm Bullish Despite Modest Expectations For Q3 EarningsCal-Maine Foods: One-Stop Shop For All Things Egg (Pre-Earnings)Dave & Buster's: A Possible Contrarian Play, But I'm Not Ready To Buy This article was written byWall Street Breakfast5.74M FollowersSubscribeWall Street Breakfast, Seeking Alpha's flagship daily business newsletter, is a one-page summary that gives you a rapid overview of the day's key financial news. It is designed for easy readability on the site or by email (including mobile devices) and is published before 7:30 AM ET every market day.

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