by Calculated Risk on 2/28/2011 10:00:00 AM

• From the Chicago Business Barometer™ Grew: The overall index increased to 71.2 from 68.8 in January. This was above consensus expectations of 68.0. Note: any number above 50 shows expansion.

"EMPLOYMENT continued to show expansion;". The employment index decreased to a still strong 59.8 from 64.1.

"NEW ORDERS nudged upward, still at the highest level since December 1983;". The new orders index increased to 75.9 from 75.7.

This was another strong report.

• From the NAR: Pending Home Sales Decline in January

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator, declined 2.8 percent to 88.9 based on contracts signed in January from a downwardly revised 91.5 in December [revised down sharply from 93.7]. The index is 1.5 percent below the 90.3 level in January 2010 when a tax credit stimulus was in place. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months.

This suggests existing home sales in February and March will be somewhat lower than in January.