The Week Ahead...

It will be day to day with the Chinese markets as U.S. data in the beginning of the week are scarce. But jobless claims, which are expected to show strength, and import & export prices, which are expected to show weakness, will heat Thursday up followed by a rush of key data on Friday led by retail sales, where autos are expected to hold down holiday gains, and also by industrial production where manufacturing, hit by weak exports, is not expected to show much life. Consumer sentiment will also be posted on Friday offering early hints on China's immediate effects.