Simply Economics

While U.S. economic data remains volatile and seems to be softening continued quantitative easing has kept equities up (though as we recorded on Monday, markets were down).

What do last week's dismal employment numbers mean for the market this week? Employment stalled in March. QE continues. But for how long? Get the perspective from an expert economist. Also, it's earnings season! Learn what companies we'll be watching this week.

Last week's news was mostly positive. Housing numbers were typically, for winter, volatile. And Cyprus didn't derail the upward march in equities.

The U.S. economy continued to make progress but concerns about Cyprus drowned out the news. Also, where should you be? Stocks? Cash?

Two important sectors showed improvement. On Wednesday, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke conducts his quarterly press conference following the FOMC statement and Fed forecasts. The other focus this week is housing, along with watching the Cypress crisis to see how it unspools and what it will mean for the Eurozone.

Loose Fed policy continues. What does it mean for traders and investors? The Dow continues to hit record highs. The latest jobs report was better than expected. What should you be looking for this week?

Sequestration kicked in Friday, March 1, but the economy is still showing signs of life. The Fed is taking action to keep the recovery--such as it is--in motion despite the latest fiscal impasse. What does it all mean for traders and investors?

All Fed all week! The markets wheeled around Fed announcements.

No one ever said the economy moves in a straight line. And data coming in for January makes this point. Some key indicators slowed but there are early signs of improvement in February.

As earnings season winds down, companies for the most part continue to (somewhat) beat expectations while economic indicators point to further (but moderate) economic growth. Find out what made last week a (mostly) good week.