In the US session Unemployment Claims and Empire State Manufacturing Index data was published. In the week ending March 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 226,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 231,000 to 230,000. The 4-week moving average was 221,500, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 222,500 to 222,250.
Business activity grew robustly in New York State, according to firms responding to the March 2018 Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index climbed nine points to 22.5. The new orders index rose to 16.8 and the shipments index advanced to 27.0—readings that pointed to strong growth in orders and shipments. Unfilled orders increased, delivery times lengthened, and inventories edged higher.
There will be no major data releases from the UK tomorrow. In the US session Building Permits and Hosuing Starts figures will be released. Analysts predict slight decrease to 1.33 million and 1.29 million respectively.
Figures to watch:
Building Permits/Housing Starts (Friday 14:30)
