U.S. stocks lower after mixed economic data

11:41 am ET Feb 16, 2007

DJIA

12,749

-15.86

S&P

1,453

-3.38

NASDAQ

2,490

-6.59

10Yr

4.69%

-0.016

U.S. stocks lower after mixed economic data

NEW YORK -- U.S. stocks were lower on Friday, with investors digesting
in-line numbers on inflation, a big drop in housing starts, falling
consumer confidence and a cautious outlook from Microsoft Corp., which
all offset another round of merger news.

Economic Report: U.S. housing starts plunge 14.3% to lowest rate in 10
years

WASHINGTON -- U.S. home builders started the fewest homes in nearly a
decade last month, as housing starts plunged 14.3% to a seasonally
adjusted annual rate of 1.408 million, the Commerce Department reported
Friday.