Retailers and other consumer companies rose after surprisingly strong housing data.
U.S. pending-home sales rose 0.8% in February, according to the monthly index released Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors, defying economists' predictions of a drop in contract signings.
Nevertheless, the index level was 21% below year-earlier levels, reflecting the withering effect of a jump in 30-year mortgage rates from around 3% to 6.5%.
Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz fielded questions from Sen. Bernie Sanders on the coffee-shop chain's treatment of workers seeking to unionize.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
03-29-23 1659ET
