@ The White House
In the morning, the President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing and meet with senior advisors.
Later in the morning, the President will visit with the 2012 Intel Science Talent Search finalists in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
In the afternoon, as part of the Official Visit of United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron to the United States, President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron will travel aboard Air Force One to Dayton, Ohio.
While in Dayton, the President and Prime Minister will attend a first round game during the NCAA Division I Men?s Basketball Championship First Four at the University of Dayton Arena. The University of Dayton Arena is steeped in basketball history, serving as the stage for many great tournament moments and as host to more Division I men?s games than any other arena in the country. This Official Visit, the visit to Dayton and the State Dinner at the White House on Wednesday evening underscore the special relationship that the United States and the United Kingdom share.
At night, the President and Prime Minister will return to Washington, DC.
@ Wall Street
Retail Sales (Feb.): Retailers had a good month in February as consumers spent with renewed optimism. Monthly ICSC chain store sales showed continued growth at a moderate pace. Unseasonably warm weather, increased consumer confidence, rising equity prices, and better job prospects are offsetting the impact of rising pump prices.
Strong auto sales and higher gasoline prices should push overall retail sales up 1.2%. Excluding autos, sales likely gained a healthy 0.9%. Retail excluding autos and gasoline should increase 0.5% in February, after a 0.6% gain in January and falling into negative territory in December.
FOMC press release 2:15 pm: The upcoming Fed meeting on March 13 will be an uneventful one. That means no change to the forward rate guidance, no QE3, and no additional duration twist to the balance sheet.
