Why GDP report won’t be sign of what’s in store

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

The economy probably grew at the fastest pace in 2011 in the final three months of the year, a report is expected to show this week, but the first quarter of 2012 probably won�t be as strong, analysts say. See full story.

Flacco, Smith: Championship QBs without the hype

Despite youth and on-field success, two NFL quarterbacks are still waiting for fan respect and big endorsement deals. See full story.

Romney to release tax returns Tuesday

As a shaken-up field of Republican presidential candidates set their sights on Florida, Mitt Romney pushed up the release of tax returns. See full story.

Gingrich wins S.C. Republican primary

Newt Gingrich won South Carolina�s Republican primary on Saturday night, beating closest rival Mitt Romney following a series of feisty debates this week. See full story.

Giffords to resign from Congress this week

Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona lawmaker shot in an apparent assassination attempt last year, to resign from Congress. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

Instead of acknowledging that banks have become a part of government, we keep pretending they are private institutions, writes David Weidner. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

Gold has been one of the greatest investment stories of the decade, and despite some recent weakness, its safe-haven appeal is likely to continue. But regardless of the price gyrations in gold futures and demand, do we really know what the cost of gold is in human terms? See full story.