Investing.com – The number of building permits issued in the U.S. fell unexpectedly in April, hovering near recession lows, official data showed on Tuesday.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau said the number of building permits issued in April fell by 4% to a seasonally adjusted 0.55 million, down from 0.57 million in March, whose figure was revised down from 0.59 million.
Analysts had expected building permits to rise 0.9% to 0.59 million in April.
The report also said that U.S. housing starts fell more-than-expected in April, tumbling by 10.6% to a seasonally adjusted 0.52 million, down from 0.59 million in March, whose figure was upwardly revised from 0.55 million.
Economists had expected housing starts to decline to 0.57 million in April.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD easing up 0.02% to hit 1.4159.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a loss of 0.19%, S&P 500 futures indicated a drop of 0.1%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures pointed to a decline of 0.22%.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau said the number of building permits issued in April fell by 4% to a seasonally adjusted 0.55 million, down from 0.57 million in March, whose figure was revised down from 0.59 million.
Analysts had expected building permits to rise 0.9% to 0.59 million in April.
The report also said that U.S. housing starts fell more-than-expected in April, tumbling by 10.6% to a seasonally adjusted 0.52 million, down from 0.59 million in March, whose figure was upwardly revised from 0.55 million.
Economists had expected housing starts to decline to 0.57 million in April.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD easing up 0.02% to hit 1.4159.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a loss of 0.19%, S&P 500 futures indicated a drop of 0.1%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures pointed to a decline of 0.22%.