Reuters - Applications for U.S. home mortgages fell slightly last week even as interest rates held near record low levels below 5 percent, an industry group said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Stocks briefly trimmed gains on Wednesday following the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's recent policy-setting meeting.

AFP - US housing construction and industrial production posted better-than-expected increases at the start of the year, the government said Wednesday, fueling economic recovery from recession.

Reuters - Housing starts rose to a six-month high in January and industrial output increased solidly, pointing to an economic recovery that was taking a firm hold and respectable first-quarter growth.

Reuters - The percentage of Americans falling behind on credit card bills stabilized in January, according to data from the six major lenders, signaling that U.S. consumer credit woes may be leveling off.