Economic indicators

Pending home sales declined 1.0% to an index reading of 101.9 in February, after a revised 4.3% gain to 102.9 in January, according to a report released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

The level of initial claims fell by 5,000 to 211,000 in the March 23 week.

U.S. economic growth cooled by more than initially reported last quarter on revisions to consumer and government spending, signaling mounting challenges to the expansion as it nears a record duration.

The U.S. current account deficit widened to $134.4 billion in the fourth quarter, larger than the -$132.3 billion expected.

The U.S. international trade gap narrowed to $51.1 billion in January from a slightly revised $59.9 billion in December.

Texas service sector activity “growth softened in March."

Manufacturing and services growth in the central Atlantic region in March was weaker than in February.

The consumer confidence index decreased to 124.1 in March from an unrevised 131.4 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.

U.S. new-home groundbreakings fell in February by the most in eight months on a drop in single-family homes, suggesting buyers and builders remain wary despite higher wages and a drop in mortgage rates.

The region's services sector accelerated, as the general business conditions index grew to 21.7 in March.

Texas factory activity growth, as measured by the production index, “continued to expand in March,” but at a slower pace than in February.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for February fell to negative 0.29 from an upwardly revised negative 0.25 in January.

January wholesale inventories increased by 1.2%, vs. a 0.1% rise expected.

The pace of existing home sales jumped by 11.8% to a 5.51 million annual rate in February, well above the 5.10 million rate expected.

The composite of the Leading Economic Index was up 0.2% in February following a revised unchanged level in January, the Conference Board said Thursday.

The level of initial claims fell by 9,000 to 221,000 in the March 16 week, below expectations for a 225,000 reading.

Manufacturers report activity “improved” in March.

The value of new factory orders rose 0.1% in January, below the 0.3% increase expected by analysts.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes was steady but affordability issues still vex the market.

New York service sector activity “grew modestly” in March, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Business Leaders Survey, released Monday.