This is the first major report coming out this week, and could have a real impact on the markets. Expectations are for a decline in sales since last month, albeit at a slower rate than previous months.

Trina Solar is recognized as a solar pioneer since it was founded in 1997. Their products provide reliable and environmentally-friendly electric power  and their fourth quater revenues  are about to beat expectations.

We have to wait until Thursday this week for the economic calendar to get underway, and even then there isn’t too much going on outside of the Retail Sector.

The US dollar index has jumped 10% since early July.

This has had a negative effect on commodity prices. It has also brought considerable relief to consumers in the form of lower gas prices.

However, US exporters have watched their products become 10% more expensive in just two months.

Andrew Gordon says shorting US stocks with a heavy reliance on overseas sales is a great way to profit from US dollar strength. He lists the ten companies most vulnerable to further gains in the buck.

Last week, a few economic reports surprised to the positive side. And this week is potentially very important for the market, says Christian Hill in Investor’s Daily Edge. Last week saw Factory Orders more than double expectations, and the ISM Services Index wasn’t nearly as low as was expected. Add this to the Fed standing pat and there could be some momentum heading into this week. This from Christian…