Thursday was marked by Retail Sales and Unemployment Claims figures. U.S Retail Sales were $437.0 billion, a decrease of 0.6% from the previous month, and below forecasts on 0.3% incline, but up 1.7% above February 2014. Total sales for the December 2014 through February 2015 period were up 2.9% from the same period a year ago. The December 2014 to January 2015 percent change was unrevised from -0.8%.

Separate report on Unemployment Claims showed that in the week ending March 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 289,000, a decrease of 36,000 from the previous week's revised level. Analysts were anticipating smaller decrease to 306,000. The 4-week moving average was 302,250, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average.

On Friday PPI and Consumer Sentiment figures were released. U.S. PPI fell 0.5% in February, seasonally adjusted, missing expectations on 0.2% growth. Final demand prices moved down 0.8% in January and 0.2% in December. On an unadjusted basis, the index for final demand decreased 0.6% for the 12 months ended in February.

U.S. Consumer Sentiment index decreased to 91.2 this month from 95.4 in February. The median projection in of economists called for a reading of 95.5. Consumer confidence declined in March to a four-month low as optimism about the U.S. economy was tempered by weaker income expectations and a rebound in gasoline prices.

This week markets will be looking at:

Empire State Manufacturing Index (Monday 13:30)

Industrial Production (Monday 14:15)

Building Permits/ Housing Starts (Tuesday 13:30)

Federal Funds Rate/FOMC Statement/FOMC Economic Projections (Wednesday 19:00)

Unemployment Claims (Thursday 13:30)

Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (Thursday 15:00)