US Optimism grows for the US economy as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout appears poised to provide every American who wants to get vaccinated a chance to get one by April. The holiday surge is behind us and cases and hospitalizations continue to trend lower. The South African variant remains the biggest risk as it makes its way across several states. COVID vaccines appear less effective to the South African variant, but optimism remains we won’t see widespread lockdowns. On the data front much attention will fall on flash PMIs and retail sales. Manufacturing and services PMI readings are expected to soften in the preliminary February readings. Economists are anticipating the first rise in retail sales since September. The FOMC will release the minutes to the January meeting. We’ve heard recently from Powell so the Minutes might only provide limited insights.