The business week ahead

Heads up: A big week for reports on the housing market and other key sectors of the economy. On Monday, the National Association of Realtors releases figures on existing-home sales for July, while the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price index for June is out Tuesday, as is the Commerce Department's July report on new-home sales. Also Tuesday is The Conference Board's latest consumer-confidence index. The Commerce Department releases the latest data on gross domestic product on Thursday, and July personal-income data on Friday.

Monday: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission starts three days of hearings related to the takeover of Puget Energy by an international consortium. A Tuesday session will also be held for public comments.

Thursday: Celebrate Express shareholders vote on Liberty Media's proposed acquisition of the Kirkland-based online retailer.

Friday: As it tries to avoid a crippling strike that would further delay the 787 Dreamliner program, Boeing has promised to deliver its best and final offer to the Machinists union by Labor Day weekend. Expect a week of intensive back-and-forth with details of that final offer by Friday. Union members will vote on the offer Sept. 3.