CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

China’s Premier Wen Jiabao called the country’s state-owned banks a “monopoly” that has to be broken to allow freer flow of capital to loan-hungry smaller businesses, as the world’s second largest economy appears to have skidded to its slowest growth in three years.

China's factory activities slumped for the fifth consecutive month as weakening domestic demand continued to weigh on growth. Spooked investors moved quickly out of riskier assets while hoping for further easing from Beijing.

Major indexes across Europe were down Tuesday on negative news regarding an expected slowdown in Chinese economic growth.

China will raise its heavily regulated retail gasoline and diesel prices Tuesday by 6.4 percent and 7 percent, respectively, marking the biggest increase in 33 months, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

In the context of a quiet week with comparatively few headlines out of Europe and U.S. government data showing relatively few surprises, many economists predicted a continuation of a positive mood, driven by recent growth in the labor market. However, there are concerns about gasoline prices.

Stocks were flat on Friday as data showed inflation remained in check last month as the domestic economy continues to improve, but consumer sentiment slipped.

It is our view that a rate cut from China could prove to be the next catalyst to push equity markets higher.

The inflation rate of China reduced sharply to 3.2 percent for February, which is a 20 month low, according to data released on Friday, showing signs that the price pressure is gradually diminishing.

China's 11th National People's Congress (NPC), the Chinese Parliament and top legislative body, will convene its fifth annual meeting Monday to set such key 2012 economic objectives as a lower target for economic growth, while keeping inflation steady.

The U.S. economy grew at a 3 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter, faster than originally estimated on unexpectedly strong business restocking, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

China's central bank is expected to make more cuts to banks' reserve requirements to fuel lending and sustain economic growth.

The Dow finished the week with solid gains Friday, edging closer to the 13000 mark which could be another indication of improvement in the U.S. economy.

The consumer price index rose 0.2 percent, below the expected 0.3 percent, according to the January consumer price index report from the Labor Department which could be suggesting a strengthening of the economic recovery.

Gasoline prices jumped 0.9 percent in January, pushing overall consumer prices up at their fastest clip in four months and offering a reminder of the risks energy costs could pose to the economic recovery.

The U.S. consumer price index rose less than forecast in January as prices for household energy and used automobiles cooled, supporting the Federal Reserve's view that inflation will remain in check.

Consumer prices rose the most in four months in January as the price of gasoline jumped, highlighting a growing concern that higher energy costs could slow the economic recovery.

Stock index futures were little changed Friday as investors were set to take a breather from a rally that pushed the S&P 500 to a nine-month high in the previous session.

U.S. stock markets may begin the week with gains as stocks in Asia and Europe advanced after Greek parliament approved austerity measures demanded by Eurozone leaders to secure a bailout package and avoid a messy debt default.

Despite a mediocre earnings season and signs of an overbought market, Wall Street bulls are likely to remain in control this week.

Despite a mediocre earnings season and signs of an overbought market, Wall Street bulls are likely to remain in control next week. There are a number of catalysts that have helped the market this year, including a slew of improved economic data and the Federal Reserve's vow to keep interest rates low.

There is a debate that has been heating up recently, and it's likely to continue to split some of the smartest minds from coast to coast. This debate revolves around whether prices for goods in the United States are on the rise or not.