MNI Global Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - The day starts early at 0700GMT with the release of the GFK

consumer climate index in Germany. France follows with the publication of the

Final GDP figures and the manufacturing and services sentiment at 0745GMT. In

the US the release of the consumer confidence index will be closely watched at

1400GMT.

     The GFK consumer climate was 10.8 in February and it is expected to remain

at the current level in March.

     The figures for France' Q4 GDP are anticipated to grow by the same rate as

in Q3 - 0.3% q/q and 0.9% y/y, respectively. February's readings for the

business climate index and the manufacturing sentiment index were 103 for both

and the MNI median expects both figures to remain at 103 in March. In February

the services sentiment Index in France was 102.

     The index of consumer confidence is expected to advance further to a

reading of 133.0 in March after rebounding to 131.4 in February after the

resolution of the government shutdown.

     At 0745GMT Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker gives a speech in

Frankfurt and SNB Gov Thomas Jordan speaks in Bern.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com