The economy dominates Australia this week, with the Reserve Bank board meeting tomorrow, the fourth quarter economic growth figures out on Wednesday, after the current account figures and other data today and tomorrow.

In the US there's some important economic data, with the February jobs figures on Friday night, our time, dominating.

The events in the Middle East will be watched closely for signs of resolution or further deterioration, especially their impact on increasingly volatile oil prices.

The American government could shut down this weekend if there's no agreement between the Administration and the House of Representative on extending the debt ceiling.

We will also have the usual surveys looking at the performance of manufacturing industry.