Retail sales increased 1.1% in March. Business inventories increased 0.4% in February. The consumer price index rose 0.2% in March while core CPI also increased 0.2%. Housing starts rose 2.8% in March to an annualized pace of 946,000 units. Building permits fell 2.4% in March to an annualized pace of 990,000 units. Industrial production increased 0.7% in March. Initial jobless claims rose 2,000 to 304,000 for the week ended 4/12.

• Retail sales increased 1.1% in March. Excluding autos, sales were up 0.7%; excluding autos and gas, sales were up 1.0%.

• Business inventories increased 0.4% in February.

• The consumer price index rose 0.2% in March while core CPI also increased 0.2%. The CPI is up 1.5% from a year ago, and core CPI is up 1.6%.

• Housing starts rose 2.8% in March to an annualized pace of 946,000 units. Starts are still down 5.9% on a year-ago basis.

• Building permits fell 2.4% in March to an annualized pace of 990,000 units. Building permits are up 11.2% on a year-ago basis.

• Industrial production increased 0.7% in March. Manufacturing was up 0.5%.

• Initial jobless claims rose 2,000 to 304,000 for the week ended April 12th.