U.S. housing market remains depressed

U.S. Statistics Reflected a decrease in the number of housing starts: The indicator fell to an annual low. At the same time wholesale prices rose more significantly than expected. According to analysts, this data indicates the emergence of obstacles to the recovery of the U.S. economy.

The Commerce Department reported that the number of homes fell 23% year over year to 479,000, the number of building permits in February fell to a record low. The Labor Department relayed information on the increase in price indexes producers in February by 1.6%, the biggest rise since June 2009.

Construction companies have had to contend with outstanding mortgages, falling home prices and slow job growth.