Durable Goods Orders Rebound in February; Consumer Confidence Steady Despite Election Worries

Orders for durable goods rose 1.4% in February, rebounding from a 6.9% drop in January, suggesting a tentative recovery in manufacturing.

Business spending on equipment showed signs of a nascent rebound, with core capital goods orders rising 0.7% in February.

Consumer confidence was little changed in March as recession fears declined but worries grew over the U.S. political environment ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

The labor market differential in the Conference Board survey widened, correlating with a lower unemployment rate.

House prices slipped 0.1% in January, the first decline in 17 months, potentially easing conditions for homebuyers this spring.