Following the report from the Labor Dept. on Friday, April 1, of another jump in jobs created and a decrease in the unemployment rate in March, this week brings a rash of interest rate decisions around the globe and the release of the FOMC minutes from March.
Friday, April 8 is the latest date for a possible government shutdown as the latest Congressional Continuing Resolution (CR) expires. Several groups are working on a budget fix, including a Republican initiative led by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and the 'Gang of Six' senators who are working off President Obama's deficit reduction commission's recommendations.
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke delivers a much-anticipated speech on Monday, the Senate is scheduled to take up repeal of what many consider the onerous new 1099 reporting requirements on Tuesday, while congressional hearings include a look at the role of the accounting profession in averting a future financial crisis.
All times are Eastern.
Monday, April 4
12:00 PM: House of Representatives convenes.
2:00 PM: U.S. Senate convenes for a period of morning business.
7:15 PM: Fed Chairman Bernanke speaks at the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank Financial Markets Conference in Stone Mountain, Ga.
Tuesday, April 5
7:00 AM: Bill Gates appears in Strasbourg, France, to discuss development issues and the experience of his Gates Foundation before the European Parliament's Development Committee.
10:00 AM: The Non-Manufacturing Index is released by the Institute for Supply Management.
11:00 AM: The Senate convenes; first order of scheduled business: consideration of HR 4, which would repeal the $600 1099 reporting requirement.
2:00 PM: March minutes of the FOMC meeting released by the Federal Reserve.
Wednesday, April 6
