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.