Investing.com - U.S. housing starts fell unexpectedly in March, while building permits also dropped, according to official figures released on Tuesday.
Groundbreaking fell 8.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.089 million units, the Commerce Department said.
February’s starts were revised up to a 1.194 million-unit rate from the previously reported 1.178 million-unit pace.
Economists had forecast housing starts rising to a 1.170 million-unit pace last month.
Building permits fell 7.7% to a 1.086 million-unit rate last month.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was last at 96.18, down from 94.20 ahead of the report.