-- The Empire State index rose to 11.0 in April from minus 0.2 in March, indicating a return to expansion for the first manufacturing reading for the month.
Import prices rose by 0.8% in March but were up only 0.1% when a 9.4% jump in petroleum prices was excluded. Import prices were up 0.6% excluding a 2.9% gain in all fuels, which were impacted by a sharp decline in natural gas prices.
Export prices rose by 1.6% in March and were up 1.7% excluding a 0.9% gain in agricultural prices.
The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index fell to 34 in April from 38 in March and was below a reading of 40 a year ago. The index was the lowest since September 2025.
NAHB said that the decline in builder sentiment can be attributed to economic uncertainty and rising materials costs and interest rates.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 1.8% increase in mortgage applications in the week ended April 10 after a 0.8% decrease in the previous week. Refinancing activity rose due to lower mortgage rates while new home applications declined due to continued uncertainty.
Total crude oil inventories fell by 5.1 million barrels in the week ended April 10, with commercial oil inventories down 900,000 barrels and stocks in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve down 4.1 million barrels. Gasoline inventories and distillate inventories both decreased last week.