By Evelina M. Tainer, Chief Economist, Econoday
3/30/01

Aside from a stronger-than-expected consumer confidence figure for March, economic indicators once again took back seat to earnings as stock prices soared and plunged during the week. The improvement in consumer confidence helped to boost stock prices on the belief that shoppers are heading back to the malls. Perhaps retail sales will head higher in coming weeks, but for the most part, economic indicators are revealing that little has changed in this economy. The manufacturing sector is in the dumps, while the rest of the economy muddles through. The upcoming week brings a key economic indicator - the employment situation for March - which will have global markets on edge until Friday.