Quick Overview

• U.S. retail sales were up 2.3% in January -- more than expected. Excluding autos, sales were up 2.2%.

• The Bush administration on Tuesday vowed tougher steps to make China play by global trade rules, including more enforcement staff and possible trade litigation.
  

• U.S. consumer confidence rose in the latest week, ABC News and The Washington Post said on Tuesday.
  

• The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise official interest rates again for the 15th consecutive time at its next meeting on March 27-28.
  

• London inventories of copper are at 105,450 tons
  

• YoY consumer prices in the U.K. were up 1.9% in January .
  

• In 2005, GDP increased 1.3% in the Euro zone and 1.6% in the EU-25.