Housing Starts (Annualized) vs Industrial Production Index (Monthly Change)
Housing Starts (Annualized) is currently 1,501K (up +151.0K). Industrial Production Index (Monthly Change) is currently -0.3% (down -1.0%).
| Metric | Housing Starts (Annualized) | Industrial Production Index (Monthly Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 1,501K | -0.3% |
| Previous reading | 1350K | 0.7% |
| Change | +151.0K | -1.0% |
| Trend | up | down |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source | U.S. Census Bureau | Federal Reserve |
| Last updated | 2026-03-18 | 2026-03-18 |
| Category | housing | growth |
What Housing Starts (Annualized) measures
Housing starts measures the number of new residential construction projects begun during a given month, expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate. It is a leading indicator of economic activity because construction generates employment and demand for materials.
Housing starts jumped to 1.50 million annualized, a strong reading. For executives, residential construction is a multiplier: each new home generates demand for lumber, appliances, furnishings, landscaping, and financial services. Strong starts signal builder confidence despite elevated mortgage rates, likely driven by the severe shortage of existing homes for sale.
What Industrial Production Index (Monthly Change) measures
The Industrial Production Index measures the real output of manufacturing, mining, and electric and gas utilities. It is a coincident indicator that moves with the business cycle and reflects the goods-producing sector of the economy.
Industrial production fell 0.3% in March after strong February gains. Manufacturing, which accounts for about 75% of the index, has been volatile as companies adjust inventory levels. For executives in manufacturing and industrial sectors, the mixed readings suggest uneven demand rather than a clear downturn. The services sector remains the primary driver of U.S. economic growth.
Frequently asked
Housing Starts (Annualized) is currently 1,501K, up +151.0K from the previous reading. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, updated monthly.
Industrial Production Index (Monthly Change) is currently -0.3%, down -1.0% from the previous reading. Source: Federal Reserve, updated monthly.
Housing starts jumped to 1.50 million annualized, a strong reading. For executives, residential construction is a multiplier: each new home generates demand for lumber, appliances, furnishings, landsc Industrial production fell 0.3% in March after strong February gains. Manufacturing, which accounts for about 75% of the index, has been volatile as companies adjust inventory levels. For executives i