Looking Ahead: February 18 through February 22, 2013

Investors focused on the currency markets and in particular, the decline of the yen against the euro and U.S. dollar. As expected the Bank of Japan left its monetary policy unchanged at the BoJ waited for the appointment of the new governor and his two deputies. Economic data especially in Japan and Europe disappointed. Given the declines in GDP, flash PMI indexes will get close attention when they are released Thursday. The German ZEW and Ifo surveys will be in focus given the decline in fourth quarter GDP as investors look for signs of recovery.