Housing starts increased 0.8% to an annualized pace of 0.917 million units in February. Building permits rose 4.6% to an annual pace of 0.946 million units in February. Existing home sales increased 0.8% to an annualized pact of 4.98 million units in February. Initial jobless claims rose 2,000 to 336,000 for the week ended 3/16.

• Housing starts increased 0.8% to an annualized level of 0.917 million units in February.

• Building permits rose 4.6% to an annual pace of 0.946 million units in February.

• Existing home sales increased 0.8% to an annualized pace of 4.98 million units in February. Supply jumped 9.6% to 1.94 million units.

• Initial jobless claims rose 2,000 to a level of 336,000 for the week ended March 16th.