STORY: From the widening conflict in the Middle East to China's big annual policy gathering, these are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week.
:: The fog of war
Since Israel and the U.S. launched their attack on Iran, prices for both oil and European natural gas have jumped sharply.
The dollar has risen against almost every major currency, while gold has temporarily shed its safe-haven mantle and instead served as a tool for damage control.
Many investors expect the conflict to last only a few weeks but they'll be watching developments closely, as there's huge scope for surprise in either direction.
:: Pre-war prices
Traders will get a double dose of U.S. inflation data in the coming week.
The figures, of course, won't capture this week's spike in oil and gas prices.
Wednesday's February Consumer Price Index is expected to have risen 0.2% on the month, according to a Reuters poll.
The other marker comes Friday with January's personal consumption expenditures price index.
:: G7 meets on Middle East
France will convene G7 finance ministers and central bank governors to discuss the Mid East crisis.
Markets will be watching closely as concerns grow that the surging price of oil and gas could turn major central banks hawkish again.
At the European Central Bank, investors now see a rate hike by year-end as more likely than not.
They're also now betting the Bank of England won't be able to cut rates this month.
:: China keeps busy
China will deliver fresh clues on the health of its economy with February inflation data on Monday, followed on Tuesday by trade figures for the first two months of the year.
Lending data may also appear, though its timing is typically fluid.
The numbers will provide context for decisions made at the "Two Sessions," China's major annual political gathering.
