CB New Housing Starts, January 2026
Released ~ March 12, 2026
Housing starts rose 7.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1.487 million in January, exceeding consensus
forecasts of 1.35 million and the revised December estimate of 1.387 million. Multifamily construction drove the
increase, offsetting single-family weakness; permits fell 5.4% to 1.376 million SAAR.
Source...
DOL Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims, 03/07/26
Released ~ March 12, 2026
Seasonally adjusted initial unemployment insurance (UI) claims decreased 1,000 to 213,000 in the week ending March 7,
below consensus forecasts of 215,000. The prior period was revised higher by 1,000 to 214,000. The four-week average
dropped 4,000 to 212,000, underscoring sustained labor market resilience with no standout national drivers.
Source...
NAR Existing-Home Sale, February
Released ~ March 10, 2026
Existing-home sales rose 1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 4.09 million units in February, beating
consensus of 3.88 million. January's figure was revised up to 4.02 million from 3.91 million. Lower mortgage rates
drove the gain amid slowly improving inventory.
Source...
BLS Average Hourly Earnings, February 2026
Released March 11, 2026
Average Hourly Earnings for private nonfarm payroll employees rose 0.4% to $37.32 in February, up $0.15 from
January's $37.17 (no prior revisions noted). The gain exceeded the 0.3% CPI-U increase, aiding a 0.2% real earnings
rise amid steady inflation pressures.
Source...
BLS Real Earnings Summary, February 2026
By C.S. Hamlin ~ March 11, 2026
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics Real Earnings Summary for February 2026 indicates real average hourly earnings
for all employees increased 0.2% over the month and 1.4% over the year, seasonally adjusted. Real average weekly
earnings rose 0.1% month-over-month and 1.7% year-over-year. The monthly gain stemmed from a 0.4% rise in nominal
average hourly earnings exceeding a 0.3% increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), with
no change in the average workweek. No consensus forecast was detailed in the release, and no revisions to prior data
were reported.
For production and nonsupervisory employees, real hourly earnings were unchanged over the month but up 1.4% annually,
while real weekly earnings were flat monthly yet increased 2.0% yearly, supported by a 0.6% annual hours gain. The
report highlights steady, if modest, real wage progress amid restrained inflation.
This tone suggests cautious optimism for sustained consumer spending power. Credit professionals should consider
bolstering surveillance on wage-inflation dynamics to inform risk models in consumer credit segments, while viewing
the data as supportive of stable household balance sheets in the short run.
Source...
BLS Consumer Price Index, February 2026
Released ~ March 11, 2026
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.3 percent month-over-month (seasonally adjusted) in
February 2026, matching consensus forecasts and up from 0.2 percent prior. The index increased 2.4 percent
year-over-year, unchanged from January, with shelter as the primary driver.
Source...