Looking Ahead: January 28 through February 1, 2013

The Bank of Japan partially filled market expectations when it adopted a two percent inflation target but disappointed by not adding to its asset purchase plan until 2014. The Bank of Canada as expected left its key rate at 1.0 percent where it has been since September 2010. Economic data indicated an improvement in the global economic picture. The FOMC holds a two day meeting this week — no policy changes are expected. There is an outpouring of new economic data globally. Investors will be looking to see if the fledgling sprouts of improvement continue. The exception here is Japan where the country is mired in