Initial jobless claims came in slightly less than forecast at 221k vs 225k consensus estimate for the week of March 15th. Continuing claims came in at 1.75M vs 1.772 consensus estimate. The Trump economy continues to roll, in spite of media claims to the contrary. However, the ongoing trade talks with China are injecting uncertainty into the American financial picture. Markets and managements hate uncertainty.

The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey in March was reported higher than expected at 13.7 vs consensus estimate of 4.5.