IBD'S TOP 10.(A)

Blix Sees Possibly Good Behavior 1Top arms inspector Hans Blix said if Iraq begins destroying its al-Samoud 2 missiles, that would be "a very significant piece of real disarmament." The U.N. deadline for destruction was Saturday, which Iraq said it accepted "in principle." Diplomatic maneuvering was intense as France and the U.S. sought Security Council votes for their rival positions on Iraqi disarmament. Consumer PC Buying Plans Rise 2The number of consumers who plan to buy new PCs in the next six months rose in Feb. to an 11-month high. The latest IBD/TIPP Home Computer Purchase Index shows pent-up demand for new PCs. The data indicate consumers, who account for about 40% of PC sales, are poised to lead a long-awaited rebound. More on this page Feb. Midwest Factory Activity Up 3The Chicago purchasers' index slipped to 54.9 from Jan.'s 56. This beat estimates and cleared the pivotal 50 for a fourth straight month. New orders grew faster; fewer jobs were cut. The less closely watched N.Y. purchasers' index fell to a 13-month low. The ISM manufacturing index is released Monday. More on this page

GDP Grows At 1.4% Pace In Q4

4The economy grew twice as fast as the government's first estimate, showing that the recovery's Q4 stumble wasn't as bad as first thought. The revised data showed stronger business investment in inventories and capital equipment, and slightly higher consumer spending. Though better than expected, Q4's growth rate was still well below Q3's 4%. More on this page, A2

Delta Tests Passenger Profiling

5The carrier will test a new plan for air security in three airports next month. It will get background data and assign a threat level to everyone who buys a ticket. The system, ordered by Congress after 9-11, will gather much more data on passengers. Half of the 19 9-11 hijackers were flagged by the original system, but were cleared because they didn't check any baggage. More on A5

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