Economic and Political Headline
• India's Food Price Index rose 17.81% in the 12 months to February 27, while the Fuel Price Index was up 11.38%, the Government said. The rise in the Food Price Index was marginally lower than an annual rise of 17.87% in the previous week. India's Primary Articles Price Index was up 15.08% year-on-year as on February 27. (BS)
• Americans braved blizzards and overcame job concerns to propel retail sales in February, pointing to a broadening in growth that will help sustain the expansion. Purchases unexpectedly climbed 0.3%, Commerce Department figures showed. (Bloomberg)
• Confidence among US consumers unexpectedly declined for a second month in March, a sign Americans are discouraged about the labor market. The Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index fell to 72.5 from February's reading of 73.6. (Bloomberg)