Economic indicators

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.