Next week's economic reports will be mostly about housing: sales, construction, permits and prices.

The housing sector remains a drag on the U.S. economy. In its Tuesday policy statement, the Federal Reserve said the sector "remains depressed." Looking ahead, economists expect gains in next week's numbers-although mild weather this winter is probably lifting activity, which may result in some giveback in the spring.

Home-builder sentiment will be covered Monday with the housing market index. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires expect the index to rise for a sixth consecutive month, increasing to 30 in March, from 29 in February.

Housing starts and permits are set for release Tuesday. Starts are projected to increase to an annual rate of 710,000 in February, while building permits are expected to rise to 700,000.

Housing demand will be captured in reports on existing home sales, out Wednesday, and new home sales, out Friday.

The median forecast calls for existing home sales to increase to a 4.64 million annualized rate. Sales of new homes are projected to be little changed at 322,000.

Finally, the Federal Housing Finance Agency issues its price report Thursday. U.S. home prices are forecast to post a 0.2% increase in January following a solid 0.7% advance in December.

Economics

Monday

10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Housing market index

11:00 a.m. 4-week bill announcement

11:30 a.m. 3-month bill auction

11:30 a.m. 6-month bill auction

Tuesday

7:45 a.m. ICSG-Goldman store sales

8:30 a.m. Housing starts

8:30 a.m. Building permits

8:55 a.m. Redbook

11:30 a.m. 4-week bill auction

Wednesday

7:00 a.m. MBA purchase applications

10:00 a.m. Existing home sales

10:30 a.m. EIA petroleum status report

Thursday

8:30 a.m. Jobless claims

10:00 a.m. Leading indicators

10:00 a.m. FHFA home prices

10:30 a.m. EIA natural gas report

11:00 a.m. 3-month bill announcement

11:00 a.m. 6-month bill announcement

11:00 a.m. 2-year note announcement

11:00 a.m. 5-year note announcement

11:00 a.m. 7-year note announcement

1:00 p.m. 10-year TIPS auction

4:30 p.m. Fed balance sheet

4:30 p.m. Money supply

Friday

10:00 a.m. New home sales

Earnings

Monday

Adobe Systems

Cache

Focus Media Holding

Gordmans Stores

Tuesday

AAR

Cintas

DSW

FSI

JA Solar

Jabil Circuit

Jefferies Group

Krispy Kreme

Omnova Solutions

Oracle

SAIC

Tiffany

Wednesday

Actuant

Clarcor

Discover Financial

Freds

General Mills

Herman Miller

Shoe Carnival

Sonic

Thursday

Accenture

ConAgra

Dollar General

FedEx

G-III

GameStop

HIS

Lululemon

Met-Pro

Nike

Perry Ellis

Signet Jewelers

Steelcase

UTi Worldwide

Wet Seal

Friday

Darden Restaurants

KB Home

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