The Business News Week Ahead

Saturday March 7 is the estimated release date for Chinese merchandise trade, a report that will track both January and February and will offer initial indications on the severity of the coronavirus. But it's February more than January that's the month to watch in the coming week, and here China will also post monthly updates on consumer and producer prices, both on Tuesday. February data that aren't likely to show any coronavirus effects but, nevertheless, will provide baselines for future reports are US consumer prices and the US Treasury Budget, both on Wednesday. Thursday is an especially important day to watch with a policy statement to be issued by the hamstrung European Central Bank whose rates are already near or below zero with nowhere to go. January updates on industrial production will be spread through the week with data from Germany on Monday and, the most important, from the Eurozone on Thursday.