Quick Overview

• (Reuters) - The pace of sales of existing homes in the United States fell 3.0 percent in March to a much lower-than-expected annual rate of 4.57 million units, the National Association of Realtors said on Thursday.
  

• U.S. jobless claims rose 27,000 last week to 640,000.
  

• Canada's retail sales rose 0.2% in February
  

• Industrial new orders in the Euro area fell 0.6% in February.
  

• Euro area composite index of services and manufacturing increased from 38.3 to 40.5
  

• The USDA said as of last week, 2008-2009 exports of:
  Corn rose from down 37% to down 36% YoY.
  Soybeans remained up 12% YoY.
  Wheat fell from down 19% to down 20% YoY.
  Cotton remained down 2% YoY.