* US and its allies prepare to step up sanctions pressure on Russia
* Germany halts approval of Russia-supplied Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline
* Russia’s economy is prepared for the worst amid new sanctions
* Ukraine crisis raises economic risk, says Atlanta Fed’s Bostic
* Should portfolios prepare for recession? No, advises JP Morgan strategist
* US consumer confidence fell again in February
* Home prices rose 18.8% in 2021, highest in 34 years
* Russia threat to Ukraine may complicate Fed’s plans for rate hikes
* US growth accelerates in February to a 2-month high via PMI survey data: