A strengthening labor market remains an engine for U.S. growth as the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest since February, Labor Department data showed Aug. 17.

U.S. housing starts stumbled in July on an abrupt slowdown in apartment construction and a modest decline in single-family homebuilding that shows the industry will do little to spur the economy, Commerce Department data showed Aug. 16.

Sentiment among American homebuilders unexpectedly increased to a three-month high as builders saw greater prospects for industry demand despite elevated material costs and shortages of labor and lots, according to data Aug. 15 from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo.

Americans last week registered their strongest optimism in 16 years on more upbeat views about the state of the economy, their personal finances and the buying atmosphere, according to Bloomberg News Consumer Comfort data released Aug. 10

American manufacturers turned in another solid month in July amid steady growth in production, orders and employment, according to figures from the Institute for Supply Management released Aug. 1.

Residential construction ended the second quarter on a stronger note as groundbreaking on new homes rebounded in June to the fastest annualized pace in four months, Commerce Department data showed July 19.

Sentiment among American homebuilders deteriorated to an eight-month low in July on concerns about higher material costs, according to July 18 data from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo.

Retail sales unexpectedly dropped for a second month in June, signaling consumers are providing only modest support for the U.S. economy, Commerce Department data showed July 14.

Three straight months of declines in new-home construction show U.S. homebuilding may weigh on second-quarter growth, Commerce Department data showed June 16.