Some traders are convinced the employment report, a key barometer of the economy's strength, will persuade the Fed to raise rates.

Last year, weekday on-time performance - a key barometer of subway service - declined for the first time in a decade.

The Dow Jones industrial average, the key barometer of the stock market's movement, jumped 52.28 points, or 2.6 percent, to 2,054.59.

Durable goods orders are a key barometer of the manufacturing industry's plans for production.

Up, up and away went the prime rate, as banks raised the key barometer to 9 percent, from 8 3/4.

For instance, the price of gold (often seen as a key barometer of inflation) is near a 12-year low.

On the charity circuit, a key barometer for Hamptons life, organizers of benefits said that this season was at least as strong as last year.

Devaluation is a key economic barometer in this South American nation, which has been buffeted by inflation for two decades.

The price of the dollar, a key economic barometer, is climbing even faster.

The Nasdaq, a key barometer of technology shares, closed at 1,746.82, down 32.05 points.