Interest Rates, Bernanke Speaks and Govt. Shutdown Looms—Advisor Briefing for the Week of April 4, 2011

Following the report from the Labor Dept. on Friday, April 1, of another jump in jobs created and a decrease in the unemployment rate in March, this week brings a rash of interest rate decisions around the globe and the release of the FOMC minutes from March.

Friday, April 8 is the latest date for a possible government shutdown as the latest Congressional Continuing Resolution (CR) expires. Several groups are working on a budget fix, including a Republican initiative led by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and the 'Gang of Six' senators who are working off President Obama's deficit reduction commission's recommendations.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke delivers a much-anticipated speech on Monday, the Senate is scheduled to take up repeal of what many consider the onerous new 1099 reporting requirements on Tuesday, while congressional hearings include a look at the role of the accounting profession in averting a future financial crisis.

All times are Eastern.

Monday, April 4

12:00 PM:       House of Representatives convenes.

2:00 PM:         U.S. Senate convenes for a period of morning business.

7:15 PM:        Fed Chairman Bernanke speaks at the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank Financial Markets Conference in Stone Mountain, Ga.

Tuesday, April 5

7:00 AM:         Bill Gates appears in Strasbourg, France, to discuss development issues and the experience of his Gates Foundation before the European Parliament’s Development Committee.

10:00 AM:      The Non-Manufacturing Index is released by the Institute for Supply Management.

11:00 AM:      The Senate convenes; first order of scheduled business: consideration of HR 4, which would repeal the $600 1099 reporting requirement.

2:00 PM:        March minutes of the FOMC meeting released by the Federal Reserve.

Wednesday, April 6