Housing Starts (Annualized) vs Retail Sales (Monthly Change)
Housing Starts (Annualized) is currently 1,501K (up +151.0K). Retail Sales (Monthly Change) is currently -0.2% (down -0.4%).
| Metric | Housing Starts (Annualized) | Retail Sales (Monthly Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 1,501K | -0.2% |
| Previous reading | 1350K | 0.2% |
| Change | +151.0K | -0.4% |
| Trend | up | down |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source | U.S. Census Bureau | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Last updated | 2026-03-18 | 2026-03-17 |
| Category | housing | consumer |
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 Retail Sales (Monthly Change) measures
Retail sales measures the total receipts of retail stores, covering purchases of durable and nondurable goods. It is a timely indicator of consumer demand and is closely watched for signs of economic strength or weakness.
Retail sales declined 0.2% in the latest report, following a weak January (-0.9%). Excluding autos and gas, the picture is slightly better. For executives in retail and consumer goods, the data suggests consumers are pulling back on discretionary purchases while maintaining spending on essentials. E-commerce continues to gain share of total retail sales.
Frequently asked
Housing Starts (Annualized) is currently 1,501K, up +151.0K from the previous reading. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, updated monthly.
Retail Sales (Monthly Change) is currently -0.2%, down -0.4% from the previous reading. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 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 Retail sales declined 0.2% in the latest report, following a weak January (-0.9%). Excluding autos and gas, the picture is slightly better. For executives in retail and consumer goods, the data sugges