Summary Box: Investors await employment report

ADDED SIGNIFICANCE: Investors will look to the monthly jobs report for clearer signs on the direction of the economy after a string of mixed economic data and ongoing concerns about Europe.

WHAT’S EXPECTED: The unemployment rate likely rose slightly to 9.8 percent as employers cut 20,000 jobs in February, economists estimate.

WHAT TO WATCH: Figures for temporary employment and hours worked are good indicators of future job creation, analysts say.