USDA's weekly export sales report is out at 7:30 a.m. CST Thursday, the same time as weekly U.S. jobless claims, an update of fourth-quarter productivity and an update of the U.S. Drought Monitor. U.S. factory orders for January are set for 9 a.m., followed by the Energy Department's natural gas storage report at 9:30 a.m. Federal Reserve Chairman Powell also testifies before the U.S. Senate on Thursday, while traders keep a close eye on events in Ukraine and the latest weather forecasts.
Weather
Another day of mild and dry conditions continues across most of the country on Thursday. A frontal boundary across the north will keep temperatures cooler toward Canada and there may be some isolated showers on the northern side of this boundary today as well, but more areas than not will see above normal temperatures. Showers will still occur in the Pacific Northwest and a system moving into California with showers will have significant consequences to the rest of the country this weekend.