Economic indicators

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.

U.S. job openings pulled back in February from a near-record in the previous month, as employers had some success in filling vacancies and became more reluctant to dismiss workers.

The University of Michigan's preliminary April consumer sentiment index reading was 97.8.

U.S. import prices were flat in March following gains in the previous seven months, as energy price declines were offset by gains in other categories.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by 9,000 to 233,000 in the April 7 week.

The federal government ran a $208.7 billion deficit in March, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday.

A measure of underlying U.S. inflation accelerated to the highest in a year as a drag from mobile-phone costs faded, bearing out the Federal Reserve's forecast for a pickup in price gains.

Wholesale inventories rose 1.0% in February, while wholesale sales rose 1.0% in the month.

Small business optimism retreated from its 35-year high in February, but remains among the highest in survey history, the National Federation of Independent Business said Tuesday.

Final demand PPI rose by 0.3% in March, well ahead of the 0.1% gain expected.

Consumers’ inflation expectations held steady, but respondents’ optimism about labor conditions and income slipped.