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src="file:///F|/My%20Documents/FeasinomicsFriday/./11092001_files/image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025"> Construction Spending

mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 0in' width="602"> display:none;mso-hide:all'>  Construction spending in March was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $868.5 billion,1.0 percent below the revised February estimate of $877.4 billion, according to the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau. The March figure is 1.6 percent above March 2002. During the first three months of this year $181.6 billion of construction was put in place, which is 1.4 percent above the $179.1 billion for the same period in 2002.

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src="file:///F|/My%20Documents/FeasinomicsFriday/./11092001_files/image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025"> Unemployment Rate

mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 0in' width="602"> display:none;mso-hide:all'>    The nation's unemployment rate increased to 6.0 percent in April, up from 5.8 percent in March. In April, job losses continued in manufacturing, some travel-related industries, and department stores.

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src="file:///F|/My%20Documents/FeasinomicsFriday/./11092001_files/image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025"> Factory Orders

mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 0in' width="602"> display:none;mso-hide:all'>    New orders for manufactured goods in March increased $7.2 billion or 2.2 percent, the highest level since May 2001. This followed a 1.0 percent February decrease. Year to date, new orders for 2003 were 3.6 percent above the same period a year ago.