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.