Key Events Around the Globe: March 17

US Manufacturing Output Increases; Homebuilder Sentiment Ticks Up

U.S. factory production increased marginally in February as manufacturing remained constrained by tariffs on imports, and the conflict in the Middle East could raise operating costs. Manufacturing output rose 0.2% last month after an upwardly revised 0.8% gain in January, the Federal Reserve said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast production for the sector, which accounts for 10.1% of the economy, rising 0.1% after a previously reported 0.6% rise in January. Production at factories advanced 1.3% year on year in February.

Canada’s Annual Inflation Rate Eases to 1.8% in February Ahead of Expected Energy Shock

Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 1.8% in February, after prices in the same period a year ago had risen sharply when the government’s sales tax relief ended, Statistics Canada said on Monday. Excluding the effect of indirect taxes, the Consumer Price Index rose 1.9% year-over year in February, it said. Economists polled by Reuters had expected inflation to fall to 1.9% year over-year in February from 2.3% in January, and 0.7% month-over-month compared with no change in the prior month.

U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Improves Modestly In March

The National Association of Home Builders released a report on Monday showing a modest improvement in U.S. homebuilder confidence in the month of March. The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index inched up to 38 in March from an upwardly revised 37 in February.

China Industrial Output,Retail Sales Growth Beats Expectations

China’s industrial production and retail sales growth exceeded expectations in the January to February period before the war in the Middle East began, official data revealed Monday. Driven by robust foreign demand, industrial output increased 6.3 percent on a yearly basis, stronger than the 5.2 percent rise in December, the National Bureau of Statistics said. Moreover, the rate exceeded economists’ forecast of 5.3 percent.

Source: HSL Prime Daily, 17 March 2026