Investing.com - U.S. housing starts rose more than expected in April, while building permits also rose, albeit at a slower than expected pace, according to official figures released on Tuesday.
Groundbreaking rose 6.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.172 million units, the Commerce Department said.
March’s starts were revised up to a 1.099 million-unit rate from the previously reported 1.089 million-unit pace.
Economists had forecast housing starts rising to a 1.127 million-unit pace.
Building permits rose 3.6% to a 1.116 million-unit rate last month.
Economists had expected a 4.3% increase in the number of building permits issued.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was last at 96.68 from around 94.58 ahead of the report.