Economic indicators

The value of U.S. durable goods new orders rose by 2.6% in March, much faster than the 1.7% increase expected by analysts in an MNI survey.

Initial claims U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by 24,000 to 209,000 in the April 21 week, well below the 231,000 level expected by analysts in an MNI survey and the lowest level since the December 6, 1969 week, data released by the Labor Department Thursday showed.

New single-family home sales pace saw a significant rise in the month, increasing by 4.0% to 694,000.

Service sector companies “saw slowing growth in April,” according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond service-sector activity survey, released Tuesday.

Manufacturing growth in the central Atlantic region “slowed in April.”

The consumer confidence index increased to 128.7 in April from a revised 127.0 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.

Home prices rose 6.3% on an annual basis in February, not seasonally adjusted, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, released Tuesday.

The region's services sector showed “continued but moderated improvement,” as the general business conditions index slid to 27.6 in April from 30.1 in March.

Home resales rose by 1.1% in March to an annual rate of 5.60 million, ahead of expectations for a second straight 5.54 million pace.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for March decreased to 0.10 from an upwardly revised 0.98 in February .

The composite of the Leading Economic Index was up 0.3% in March following a downwardly revised 0.7% increase in February, first reported as a 0.6% rise, the Conference Board said Thursday.

Initial claims U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by 1,000 to 232,000 in the April 14 employment survey week.

Manufacturers report continued growth in April, but this month's Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business showed signs of increasing costs.

Industrial production grew 0.5% in March, the Federal Reserve reported Tuesday.

U.S. new-home construction rose by more than forecast in March on a rebound in multifamily starts, giving a boost to first-quarter economic growth, government figures showed Tuesday.

Prices received increased in April, to a level not seen in more than six years, while wage growth slowed.

The value of business inventories in February rose by 0.6%, as expected by analysts.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes remained high as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index dipped to 69 in April from 70 in March.

U.S. retail sales rose by more than expected in March in the first gain in three months, suggesting consumer demand regained steam on the back of tax cuts and refunds.

Prices paid remain elevated, while the future outlook sank.