Economic indicators

The pace of existing home sales fell by 4.9% to a 5.21 million annual rate in March after a surge in February.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for March narrowed to negative 0.15 from a downwardly revised negative 0.31 in February.

U.S. new-home construction unexpectedly fell in March, decelerating to the slowest pace since May 2017.

The value of business inventories in February was up 0.3% from January, as expected.

The composite of the Leading Economic Index was up 0.4% in March following a revised 0.1% rise in February, the Conference Board said Thursday.

Manufacturers report activity has “continued to grow” in April.

The level of initial jobless claims fell by 5,000 to 192,000 in the April 13 survey week, below the 205,000 level expected.

The value of retail sales posted a large gain in March, rising 1.6% vs the 1.0% gain expected.

The U.S. economy grew at a slight-to-moderate pace in March and early April, though a few districts “reported some strengthening,” a Federal Reserve survey showed.

February wholesale inventories increased by 0.2%, vs. a 0.3% rise expected.

The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed to an eight-month low in February on a surge in civilian aircraft exports, which may come under pressure after the grounding of Boeing Co.'s 737 MAX planes.

The National Association of Home Builders' housing market index rose to 63 in April from 62 in March.

U.S. factory production stalled in March as motor-vehicle output declined, adding to signs of headwinds for manufacturing and economic growth around the world.

New York service sector activity “continued to grow modestly” in April.

Business activity “grew modestly in New York State,” while the outlook fell to its lowest level in three years.

U.S. consumer sentiment fell in April for the first time in three months, missing estimates, as the long-term economic outlook dropped to the lowest in more than a year and enthusiasm over tax cuts waned.

The March import price data were up 0.6%, above expectations for a 0.4% gain.

The March producer price index data were above expectations, raising the year/year headline rate slightly.

Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly dropped, falling to the lowest level since October 1969, as the tight labor market showed little sign of easing.

A key measure of U.S. inflation rose less than forecast in March on a drop in apparel prices following a methodology change for data collection.