The week ahead: EMI addresses Warner merger concerns

EMI executives are due to meet European Union Competition Commissioner Mario Monti in Brussels on Monday, the day before the final deadline for EMI and Warner Music Group to offer concessions and address regulators' concerns about their planned $20 billion joint venture.

On Tuesday, San Francisco-based Shockwave.com plans to unveil an animated online video for Madonna's single titled "Music." The video will be interactive, allowing Web surfers to direct part of the video, selecting which images to display.

The attorney for Metallica and rap star Dr. Dre sent letters to universities asking them to block the use of Napster, which promotes file-sharing software that encourages free distribution of music. Schools were asked to respond by Friday. After Friday, the music groups will examine their other options, Los Angeles attorney Howard King said.

The information was gathered from First Call/Thomson Financial, Hoover's Online, CCBN's StreetEvents and CNET Investor.

Other events this week include:

Monday, Sept. 18

Earnings:

Circuit City Stores sells consumer electronics devices from Walkmans to personal computers and refrigerators. Per-share consensus estimate: 27 cents.

GenCorp makes computer memory modules by stacking and connecting chips to provide greater memory without taking up more board space. Per-share consensus estimate: 27 cents.

Audiovox makes computer memory modules by stacking and connecting chips to provide greater memory without taking up more board space. Per-share consensus estimate: 43 cents.

Sonoco Products manufactures industrial and consumer packaging supplies, including high-density film products and folding cartons. Per-share consensus estimate: 49 cents.

Electro Scientific Industries makes tools used to build complex electronic equipment for the automotive electronics, semiconductor and wireless telecommunications industries. Per-share consensus estimate: 66 cents.

Other events:

Senior executives from EMI Recorded Music are due to meet European Union Competition Commissioner Mario Monti in Brussels on Monday, the day before the final deadline for EMI and Warner Music Group to offer concessions and address regulators' concerns about a planned $20 billion joint venture.

Ironbridge Networks, a Lexington, Mass.-based competitor of Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks, is set to launch a new high-speed network routing device next week. Routers ship Internet traffic from point to point along a network at high speeds.

InterWorld, an e-business software maker, is scheduled to unveil a revamped version of its e-commerce software suite next week.

The U.S. Navy and Marines are expected to grant a defense contract worth an estimated $10 billion this week. Bidders include services giants Computer Sciences, Electronic Data Systems and IBM Global Services.

The Prudential Securities Internet & Telecommunications Conference will take place in San Francisco from Monday through Wednesday.

The SG Cowen 28th Annual Fall Technology Conference will take place Sunday through Wednesday in Boston.

The Banc of America Securities 30th Annual Investment Conference will take place Monday through Friday in San Francisco.

Tuesday, Sept. 19

Economic reports:

Housing Starts are the number of houses that workers began constructing in August. Analysts expect this number to rise to 1.54 million homes, up from 1.51 million in July. This suggests that, despite higher interest rates, people are still buying homes and the economy remains strong.

Earnings:

NaviSite provides corporations with outsourced Web site and e-commerce services, such as Web hosting, server and application management, and Internet applications. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 39 cents.

National Data Corp. provides information systems and services to the health care and e-commerce markets. Per-share consensus estimate: 46 cents.

Other events:

The Lehman Brothers Wireless Internet Conference: Unlocking the Value Chain is scheduled to take place in New York Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

Economic reports:

The trade balance is expected to stay virtually the same, showing that we import more than we export by about $30 billion.

Earnings:

Cable Design Technologies makes copper, fiber-optic and composite cables used to connect electronics networks of all kinds, including computer, communications and industrial automation networks. Per-share consensus estimate: 34 cents.

Cognos makes business intelligence software products, including Impromptu and PowerPlay, that mine, analyze and report corporate data. Per-share consensus estimate: 17 cents.

Engage Technologies makes software and services that allow clients to collect profiles of Internet users and target online advertising. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 28 cents.

Other events:

The ING Barings Media & Communications Conference will take place in New York from Wednesday through Friday.

The Wit SoundView Internet Platforms & Devices Conference will take place in New York on Wednesday and Thursday.

The CIBC World Markets First Annual Power Technologies & Service Conference is scheduled to take place in New York on Wednesday.

SBS Technologies will split its stock 2-for-1.

Thursday, Sept. 21

Economic reports:

Initial unemployment claims refers to the number of people who filed for jobless benefits. This number is expected to fall to 320,000 from 324,000.

Earnings:

Liberate Technologies makes Web access software for set-top boxes, smart phones and other appliances. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 21 cents.

Cyberian Outpost sells products and software online. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 26 cents.

Spectrum Control makes products that protect electronics from random electromagnetic interference. Per-share consensus estimate: 21 cents.

Other events:

M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers plans to split its stock 2-for-1.

Friday, Sept. 22

The attorney for Metallica and rap star Dr. Dre sent letters to universities asking them to block the use of Napster, which promotes file-sharing software that encourages free distribution of music. Schools were asked to respond by Friday. After Friday, the music groups will examine their other options, Los Angeles attorney Howard King said.