The total number of operating rigs in the US the week ending March 24^th was 809, 652 oil and 155 gas. For oil, this was 75.3% higher year on year (y/y), and 8.3% greater than a month ago. For gas the y/y increase was 68.5%, while the month on month (m/m), increase was 2.6%.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Composite index rose 10.8 points in March to reach 125.6 points, the highest reading since December 2000. This was far better than analysts’ expectations and the fourth increase in the last five months.

New orders for durable goods gained 1.7% in February from January, totaling $235.4 billion. On a 3MMA basis the year on year (y/y), change was a positive 1.1%, while the 3MMA change over 12 months was an encouraging 2.9%. Orders for January were revised upward by 0.3% from 2.0% to 2.3%.

Initial claims grew by 15,000 for the week ending March 18^th.

The US dollar (USD) continues to advance against a trade weighted basket of currencies known as the Broad Index. The February 2017 Broad index value was 101.33 down 1.4% month on month (m/m) but up 1.9% over 12 months and up 22.0% from a level of 83.04 where it stood five years ago.

Total housing starts were reported at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,167,000 for the month of February, on a 3MMA basis, up 8.9% year on year (y/y). Single family housing starts moved-up 4.8%, 3MMA y/y, while multi-family surged 17.7%, 3MMA y/y, over the same time comparison.