The Dow and the S&P 500 hit all-time highs in April, and everyone’s wondering if the “sell in May and go away” worrywarts will get burned this year.
From the unveiling of a new gaming console to the long-awaited return of a cult fave television show on an unlikely platform, let’s start looking out to some of the events that will unfold this month.
May 2
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) will kick off the summer movie season tomorrow night with the theatrical release of Iron Man 3.
The latest entry in the comic book action series is reportedly Robert Downey Jr.’s last performance as Tony Stark.
And, yes, technically summer itself is still seven weeks away. Don’t tell that to the multiplex operators that feast on the summertime blockbuster releases that seem to roll out earlier and earlier with every passing year.
Exhibitors may even have more at stake here than The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) given the sloppy attendance that movie theaters have experienced in recent years.
May 14
Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has been gaining momentum since introducing its BlackBerry 10 mobile operating system earlier this year, and it will hopefully all come together during Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) Live in two weeks.
The annual conference that was formerly known as Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) World will feature three days of mobile goodness from the smartphone pioneer as it woos developers, IT decision makers, and enthusiasts alike in family-friendly Orlando.
May 15
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) reports quarterly results in two weeks.
The networking giant has stormed its way back into investor fancy, trading near the two-year highs it established in March.
The fundamentals don’t exactly match the stock chart. Analysts see revenue and earnings per share climbing a mere 5% and 2%, respectively, in Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)’s latest quarter. However, there’s no denying that Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)’s future will get a whole lot brighter if companies that have held back on updating their routers, switches, and other networking gear move to upgrade their equipment in this improving economy.
May 21
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is ready to show the world its new Xbox.
The Wii U was a dud last holiday season, and the recently unveiled PlayStation 4 isn’t generating a lot of buzz in this country. It’s now up to Microsoft to turn the console gaming industry around after years of sluggish sales.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Xbox 360 has been the country’s top-selling system every month for more than two years, but naturally jaded gamers will want to see if it can top the specs of its rival next-generation platforms.
May 26
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) had a big hit with House of Cards, and April’s Hemlock Grove got off to a good start.
The leading video service should have another hit with this month’s revival of Arrested Development.
The long-awaited season will stream exclusively on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) starting May 26, and true to the service’s “binge viewing” strategy it will make the entire fourth season available on the same day.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is coming off a blowout quarter where it tacked on more than 3 million net global subscribers to its streaming service. Magnetic proprietary programming will help keep those new accounts around.
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The article 5 Dates to Circle in May originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Rick Munarriz.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz owns shares of Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) and Netflix. The Motley Fool recommends Cisco Systems, Netflix, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft, Netflix, and Walt Disney.
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