Economic indicators

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.

Manufacturing growth in the central Atlantic region “strengthened in February,” according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, as the manufacturing index climbed to positive 16 from negative 2.

U.S. new-home construction in December fell to the lowest since September 2016, as builders held back during a turbulent month for financial markets.

The region's services sector accelerated, as the general business conditions index rebounded to 10.0 in February from 1.0 in January.

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

December wholesale inventories increased by 1.1%, vs. a 0.1% rise expected by an MNI survey of analysts.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for January fell to negative 0.43 from a downwardly revised positive 0.05 in December.

Existing home sales were down 1.2% to a seasonally adjusted 4.94 million-unit rate in January.

The composite of the Leading Economic Index was off 0.1% in January following a revised flat reading in December, the Conference Board said Thursday.

Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits fell by more than expected to a four-week low, a sign the labor market is regaining its footing following the longest-ever government shutdown.

Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment unexpectedly fell in December for the fourth decline in five months.