Investing.com - The number of building permits issues in the U.S. increased to the highest level since June 2008 in February, while housing starts rose more-than-expected official data showed Tuesday.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau that the number of building permits issued in February rose 4.6% to a seasonally adjusted 0.946 million, above expectations for a 2.3% increase to 0.925 million units.
Building permits issued in January totaled 0.904 million units.
The report also showed that U.S. housing starts rose by 0.8% last month to a seasonally adjusted 0.917 million, compared to expectations for an increase to 0.915 million.
Housing starts for January were revised up to 0.910 million units from a previously reported 0.890 million units.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained higher against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.03% to trade at 1.2953.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures held on to modest gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a rise of 0.2% at the open, S&P 500 futures added 0.25%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a gain of 0.3% at the open.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau that the number of building permits issued in February rose 4.6% to a seasonally adjusted 0.946 million, above expectations for a 2.3% increase to 0.925 million units.
Building permits issued in January totaled 0.904 million units.
The report also showed that U.S. housing starts rose by 0.8% last month to a seasonally adjusted 0.917 million, compared to expectations for an increase to 0.915 million.
Housing starts for January were revised up to 0.910 million units from a previously reported 0.890 million units.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained higher against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.03% to trade at 1.2953.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures held on to modest gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a rise of 0.2% at the open, S&P 500 futures added 0.25%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a gain of 0.3% at the open.