On the FDIC front, there were 4 more failures this weekend <\/strong>(now 41 YTD) w\/NYB and OZRK involved in FDIC\u2010assisted transactions. <\/p>\n The WSJ is reporting that going forward the FDIC will be providing less asset loss protection to acquirers of failed banks<\/strong> (which could ultimately make the deals less attractive). <\/p>\n Finally, Politico is reporting<\/a> that the White House is going to ramp up its pressure on Congress to pass the financial regulatory reform bill; <\/strong> the WH wants something passed by at least Sept (the second year anniversary of Lehman) although some think a bill could be sent to the president’s desk by Memorial Day (also out of Washington – Obama made an unexpected trip to Afghanistan on Sunday, his first visit to the country as president). <\/p>\n Away from the banks, there are a couple big articles in the British papers<\/a> talking about a potential According to the FT<\/a>, Greece is expected to come to market this week w\/a 3\u20107yr ~EU5B bond sale in what will prove to be a critical test of the recently signed EU\u2010IMF rescue package<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Various sites<\/a> are reporting that Apple appears to have sold out of its first batch of iPads w\/the company now promising delivery of orders by Apr 12<\/strong> (weeks after the device will officially go on sale on Apr 3). For autos, the nation’s auto companies will be posting their Mar sales results throughout the day on Thurs <\/strong>(Edmunds.com is projecting a 31% surge in March U.S. new\u2010vehicle sales). <\/p>\n JPMorgan is hosting a REIT conf on Thurs Apr 1.<\/strong> <\/p>\n There are a couple analyst meetings that will be in focus (AMAT on Tues and HIG on Thurs). <\/p>\n On the economics front, it is a slow week of releases. In the US, focus will be on the monthly jobs number out on Friday<\/strong> (which will be released despite equities markets being closed). <\/p>\n Also in the US, S&P\/Case\u2010Shiller (Tues) and ISM (Thurs) <\/strong> will be closely followed. <\/p>\n In Europe, a bunch of Eurozone datapoints will hit inc. Business Climate survey, Consumer Confidence survey, Unemployment rate and CPI. <\/strong> In China, March PMI Manufacturing & HSBC Manufacturing PMI numbers will hit Wednesday night and in Japan the Tankan survey will come out Wednesday. <\/p>\n For more market commentary and research see The Back 9 ><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
merger between VZ and VOD<\/strong> (the Sunday London Times reports that a deal is unlikely while the Sunday
London Telegraph says the opposite). <\/p>\n
To watch for the week of Mon Mar 29 – a few more Feb\u2010end earnings reports (RIMM, APOL, MU, MOS),
auto sales, and the Mar BLS report (on Fri) <\/strong>will all be crammed into a holiday\u2010shortened week (nearly
every major equities market in the world will be closed Fri although bond markets will be open for an
abbreviated session); the end of the Q\/month on Wed will also impact trading. On the earnings front,
investors will be focused on APOL Mon morning and then RIMM and MU Wed after the clos<\/strong>e. The Q1
earnings season kicks off on Mon 4\/12 w\/AA after the close. <\/p>\n