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Purchases of new U.S. homes unexpectedly increased in March to an eight-month high, indicating housing demand remained strong at the start of the spring buying season, Commerce Department data showed April 25.

Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits rose last week while total benefit rolls dropped to the lowest in 17 years, indicating the job market remains tight, a Labor Department report showed April 20.

Output at U.S. manufacturers fell in March by the most since August as production of automobiles and parts and business equipment declined, Federal Reserve data showed April 18.

Consumer confidence climbed for the sixth time in the last seven weeks as Americans became more upbeat about the U.S. economy than at any time since 2001, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index figures showed April 13.

Fewer Americans than forecast filed for unemployment benefits last week, with applications hovering just above a four-decade low, a Labor Department report showed April 13.

American service companies expanded in March at the slowest pace in five months, adding to signs of tepid economic growth in the first quarter, a survey by the Institute for Supply Management showed April 5.

Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes jumped in February by the most since July 2010, according to figures released March 30 by the National Association of Realtors in Washington.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes declined in February after rising a month earlier to the highest level in a decade, according to figures released March 22 by the National Association of Realtors in Washington.

Consumer confidence rose in March as Americans were more satisfied than any time in 16 years with the current state of their finances and the economy, while remaining sharply divided along party lines about the outlook.

Fewer Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, underscoring a sturdy job market.