Quick Overview

• Trichet said on Thursday that the ECB may raise interest rates next month due to mounting inflationary pressures

• The global sugar market will be in deficit for a third year said Czarnikow. The shortfall expected is 3.7 million tons.

• The U.S. Energy Department said crude oil inventories fell 364,000 barrels to 346.4 million.

• First time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits fell by 20,000 to 368,000 in the week ending Feb. 26.

• MoM retail trade volume in the Eurozone gained 0.4 % in January