Quick Overview

• U.S jobless claims were up 35,000 last week to 626,000
  

• U.S. productivity rose 3.2% in the fourth quarter, more than expected.
  

• (Bloomberg) -- Moody’s Investors Service is reviewing the ratings of $302.6 billion in commercial mortgage-backed securities as real-estate values drop and property owners fall behind on payments.

• U.S. Unit labor costs rose 1.8% in the fourth quarter, less than expected.
  

• U.S. factory orders fell 3.9% in December,
  

• England reduced its interest rate from 1.5% to a record low 1.0%
  

• The European Central Bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 2.0%,
  

• The USDA estimates Argentina's soybean crop at 42.5 million tons, down from the January 12th estimate of 49.5 million tons.
  

• Brazil estimates the upcoming coffee crop at 39.4 million bags.

• (Reuters) - The U.S. government has collected more than $271 million in dividends from ownership stakes in American banks.

• Sales in China's auto industry exceeded the U.S. for the first time last month.
  
  

• BHP Billiton said build-up of iron ore stockpiles in China that prompted suppliers to defer shipments last year is ending – causing ore shipments to rise, one broker said.