Aug. 11--MONDAY, AUG. 11

WAIT AND SEE: Acusphere Inc. of Watertown -- which recently slashed a quarter of its work force to trim costs as it awaits regulatory approval of its drug Imagify -- reports quarterly earnings results.

A bankruptcy settlement hearing is scheduled for Countrywide Home Loans.

TUESDAY, AUG. 12

RETAIL RESULTS: The TJX Cos. releases second-quarter financial results. Last week, the Framingham discount retailer raised its forecast but added an impairment charge related its Bob's Stores chain, reportedly on the block.

A Commerce Department report is expected to show that the U.S. trade deficit widened to $61.9 billion in June from $59.8 billion a month earlier, reflecting imports of higher- priced oil and petroleum derivatives.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13

SLOW SALES: The Commerce Department reports on retail sales for July, after spotty sales figures released by individual retailers last week. According to a Thomson Financial/IFR survey of economists, the data is likely to show flat sales for the month compared with June, when retail sales jumped by 1 percent.

Department-store operator Macy's Inc. releases second-quarter financial results.

THURSDAY, AUG. 14

MEETING OF THE MINDS: Some 18,000 attendees are expected at the American Psychological Association's annual meeting, which runs through Sunday at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The opening session's keynote speaker is New Yorker writer and best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell.

JOBFIND: A nursing and health job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Inn at Longwood Medical Best Western Hotel, 342 Longwood Ave., Boston. The event, sponsored by Quincy Medical Center, features representatives from top medical facilities. For more info call 617-619-6700.

The Labor Department releases its index of consumer prices for July, with economists projecting a rise of 0.4 percent, or 0.2 percent after stripping out food and energy prices.

Earnings reports are expected from retailers J.C. Penney Co., Kohl's Corp. and the biggest of all, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

FRIDAY, AUG. 15

The University of Michigan reports on consumer sentiment for the first part of August. Economists predict a modest rise.

Send business events to outlook@bostonherald.com

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