Economic indicators

The U.S. international trade gap widened to $59.8 billion in December from $50.3 billion.

Private-sector employment increased by 183,000 in February, on a seasonally adjusted basis, ADP estimated Wednesday.

Lower mortgage rates and more-affordable properties offered some relief for buyers.

The U.S. services sector expanded at a faster pace in February as the non-manufacturing index climbed to 59.7.

The composite of the Leading Economic Index was revised to an unchanged level in January.

U.S. construction spending posted the smallest annual increase since 2011 as homebuilding slowed amid higher borrowing costs and a glut of apartments in some areas.

New York economic conditions slipped in February, with current conditions falling to their lowest level since June.

The University of Michigan's final February consumer sentiment index reading was 93.8.

The overall economy grew for the 118th straight time, the Institute for Supply Management reported Friday.

Americans' incomes unexpectedly fell in January, the first decline in about three years, following a surge in the prior month that reflected special dividends and farm subsidies.

Respondents to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's monthly manufacturing survey reported slower growth in February, while expectations slipped.

The MNI Chicago Business Barometer rose by 8 points to 64.7 in February, to the highest since December 2017.

The seasonally adjusted Milwaukee Report on Business decreased to 55.09 in February from 58.78 in January.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits rose by 8,000 to 225,000 in the Feb. 23 week.

The U.S. economy cooled by less than expected last quarter as business investment picked up, suggesting growth could be stronger for longer as the Federal Reserve takes a patient approach to interest rates.

The value of new factory orders rose 0.1% in December, well below the 0.9% increase expected.

Pending home sales rebounded 4.6% to an index reading of 103.2 in January, after a revised 2.3% decline to 98.7 in December.

Texas service sector activity “accelerated in February,” according to business executives responding to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey, as the revenue index climbed to 19.2, from 14.9.

The service sector improved in February, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond service-sector activity survey, released Tuesday.

The consumer confidence index increased to 131.4 in February from an upwardly revised 121.7 last month.