IBD'S TOP 10.(A)

Japan Recovers, Germany Stalls

1Japanese household spending rose 2.6% in Jan. vs. a year ago, far over views. The world's No. 2 economy also added 400,000 jobs. Along with bullish retail sales and industrial output data, it seems Japan is exiting its latest slump. But unadjusted German unemployment rose to a postwar high 5.22 mil in Feb. Berlin's economic advisers now see just 1% growth in '05. More on this page

Inflation Fears Ebb, Lifting Stocks

2 The Nasdaq rose 1%, the small-cap S&P 600 0.7%, the S&P 500 and Dow 0.6% each. Volume was lower across the board. A weaker-than-expected Feb. manufacturing reading helped cool inflation fears that spooked the market Monday. Retailers fared well, while steel and energy stocks sagged. The 10-year note's yield was unchanged at 4.37%. More on this page, B2

Factory Growth Cools, Not Cold

3The ISM manufacturing index fell for a 3rd straight month, down 1.1 points in Feb. to 55.3, the lowest since Sept. '03. It's still above the boom-bust 50 mark. Orders and output also showed slower growth. The jobs index edged down but signaled solid hiring. The prices paid index dropped to its lowest level since late '02. See Vital Signs on A2

U.S. Urges Fair Vote In Lebanon