USDA's weekly export sales report, U.S. jobless claims, U.S. retail sales for March and an update of the U.S. Drought Monitor are all due out at 7:30 a.m. CDT. The Fed's report on March industrial production is set for 8:15 a.m., followed by the Energy Department's weekly report of natural gas inventory at 9:30 a.m. USDA monthly outlook for Livestock, Dairy and Poultry is due out at 11 a.m., roughly the same time the National Oilseeds Processors Association will have an estimate of soybean crush for March.
Weather
Thursday features a spring snowstorm in portions of the western High Plains and light to moderate rain in the southwestern Plains through western and southern Texas. Rain is also in store for the Gulf Coast and the Great Lakes. Other crop areas will be dry. Much cooler air will spread throughout the central and eastern U.S. through the end of the week, slowing field work and crop progress.