Investing.com - U.S. housing starts fell in January but a jump in permits indicated that the housing recovery remained on track.
Housing starts declined 2.6% to an annual rate of 1.25 million units, the Commerce Department said.
December's starts were revised up to a rate of 1.28 million units from the previously reported 1.23 million.
The number of building permits issued jumped 4.6% in January to a rate of 1.29 million units.
It was the highest level since November 2015.