What's Ahead Friday: All Eyes Will Be on The February Jobs Report

In 'What's Ahead on Wall Street' for Friday Mar. 4, the notable economic numbers to watch are the February jobs report. Expectations are for U.S. businesses to have added 200,000 new jobs and the unemployment rate to hold steady at 4.9%. Also due out are numbers on international trade and the Baker-Hughes rig count. On the earnings front, there are two big companies set to release results. Both Staples (SPLS) and Big Lots (BIG) will release earnings in the morning. When Staples comes out with its financial data, Wall Street is looking for earnings of $0.28 a share on revenue of nearly $5 and a half billion. Both the top and bottom line are projected to decline from a year ago. The company has been trying to get approval for its merger with rival Office Depot (ODP). European regulators recently approved this deal, but in the U.S., the FTC is against it. If the merger goes through, Staples will likely benefit from increased cash flow and less overhead costs. TheStreet's U-Jin Lee reports from Wall Street.