Stocks are showing some weakness on international concerns including perceived economic slowing in China and uncertainty in the Ukraine. China consumes 40% of the world’s copper and has sent the metal into an epic 4-day decline reaching its lowest price level in 44-months. (CNBC)

The National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index crashed down to its lowest level in three years during February.  The report showed new weakness in small business owner’s expectations for future sales and economic growth.  

The dating is over and there is going to be a wedding.  Men’s Wearhouse will buy Jos A Bank for $1.8 billion in cash.  As part of the deal Jos A Bank will terminate the agreement they made earlier this year to buy Eddie Bauer. (Market Watch)

In what could be another weather related economic event, merchandise piled up on wholesaler shelves in January.  Inventories climbed 0.6% and sales fell 1.9%.  Even with the increase inventories are historically lean. (Wall Street Journal)

You thought the NSA was what you had to worry about when you are online?  Nike along with Intel has taken a stake in Reflektion, a company that used online analytics to predict consumer shopping habits.  (Oregon Live)

Oil was down almost $2 yesterday and is down another $1.50 today at $98.50 a barrel. The realization that demand growth maybe slower than thought and lots of supply are making for a slippery pricing situation. (Bloomberg)