Economic indicators

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.