In the week ending April 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 294,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. Analysts were anticipating smaller increase to 284,000.The 4-week moving average was 282,750, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average.
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,039,000. Analysts were predicting figure of 1,080,000. This is 5.7% below the revised February rate of 1,102,000, but is 2.9% above the March 2014 estimate of 1,010,000. Single-family authorizations in March were at a rate of 636,000; this is 2.1% above the revised February figure of 623,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 378,000 in March.
Privately-owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 926,000, missing market forecasts on increase to 1,050,000. This is 2.0% above the revised February estimate of 908,000, but is 2.5% below the March 2014 rate of 950,000. Single-family housing starts in March were at a rate of 618,000; this is 4.4% above the revised February figure of 592,000. The March rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 287,000.
After the data USD was pushed lower. Euro is currently being traded few points above 1.0730 level, Sterling is at 1.49 handle, while Aussie is at 0.7770 area. Later today, Philly Fed Manufacturing Index figures are scheduled for a release.