Existing home sales declined 0.9% in February as new home sales fell 1.6%, housing started declined 1.1%, and building permits increased 5.1%.  Initial jobless claims decreased 5,000 to 348,000 for the week ended 3/17.

• Existing home sales edged down 0.9% to an annual pace of 4.59 million units in February.
• New home sales declined 1.6% to an annual pace of 313,000 units in February.
• Housing starts fell 1.1% to an annual rate of 698,000 units in February.
• Building permits increased 5.1% to an annual pace of 717,000 units in February.
• Initial jobless claims declined 5,000 to a level of 348,000 for the week ended March 17^th.