From Reuters.com
The day ahead: Thursday
Great things are not expected from September retail sales data as rising unemployment weighs on consumers.
* Retailers probably saw sales decline again in September, signaling weak demand leading into the holiday season. 
* Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gives an update on the Fed’s balance sheet.
* PepsiCo reports third-quarter results.
* European Central Bank and Bank of England report interest rate decisions.
The day ahead: Thursday
Consumer spending is in the spotlight with U.S. auto sales and personal income and outlays data expected.
* Auto sales probably fell in September back to the nearly three-decade lows of early 2009 without government incentives to spur buying.
