Sales of new single-family houses in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 667,000, the Census Bureau reported. This is 4.9% above the revised January estimate of 636,000.

THE ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: Today, the Census Bureau will report about retail sales for February, construction spending for February and business trade for January. Tomorrow, the Census Bureau will report about durable goods orders for February. Thursday, the Labor Department will issue its initial claims report. Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will reveal the unemployment rate for March.

Friday, the Dow climbed 211.22 points (0.82%) to 25,928.68, the NASDAQ closed 60.16 points (0.78%) higher at 7,729.32, and the S&P 500 increased 18.96 points (0.67%) to 2,834.40. The Russell 2000 was up 4.63 points (0.30%) at 1,539.74, and the Wilshire 5000 gained 183.15 points (0.63%) to close at 29,266.98.

The price of the 10-year Treasury note was down 5/32, increasing its yield to 2.410%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond was up 2/32, decreasing its yield to 2.818%.

WEEK’S WORTH: For the week ending March 29, the Dow gained 1.67%, the NASDAQ was up 1.13%, and the S&P 500 increased 1.20%. The Russell 2000 climbed 2.25%, and the Wilshire 5000 finished 1.24% higher.

ON THIS DATE: In 1789, the U.S. House of Representatives held its first full meeting in New York City. Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected the first House Speaker. In 1864, the first travel accident policy was issued to James Batterson by the Travelers Insurance Company. In 1865, at the Battle of Five Forks in Petersburg, Virginia, Gen. Robert E. Lee began his final offensive. In 1891, the William Wrigley Jr. Company was founded in Chicago. In 1929, Louie Marx introduced the Yo-Yo. In 1938, the Baseball Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown, New York. In 1945, U.S. forces invaded Okinawa during World War II. In 1946, Weight Watchers was formed. In 1952, the Big Bang theory was proposed in “Physical Review” by Alpher, Bethe & Gamow. In 1953, Congress created the Department of Health Education and Welfare. In 1954, the Air Force Academy was formed in Colorado. In 1976, Apple Computer began operations. In 1991, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that jurors could not be barred from serving due to their race.