US HOUSING STARTS JUMP TO 2024 HIGH US homebuilding surged in March, with housing starts rising 10.8% to a 1.5M annual rate — the highest since December 2024 and above forecasts. Single-family starts climbed 9.7% to 1.03M, while multifamily construction also increased. Gains were seen across all regions, led by the Northeast. Despite the rebound, warning signs remain: building permits — a key forward indicator — fell to 1.37M, the lowest since August, with single-family permits down 3.8%. Builders are using incentives to attract buyers, but higher mortgage rates and rising material costs tied to geopolitical tensions could weigh on momentum.(*Walter Bloomberg)