By WSJ Staff 

In the week ahead, the U.S. will publish fresh data on home sales, durable-goods, gross domestic product and consumer sentiment.

Monday: The National Association of Realtors releases existing-home sales data for March. Sales of previously owned homes rose strongly in February, a sign that demand for housing picked up as mortgage rates eased. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal forecast existing-home sales fell 3.8% in March from February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.30 million.

Thursday: The Commerce Department releases March durable-goods figures. In February, orders for long-lasting factory goods fell after three straight months of growth due to a sharp decline in aircraft orders. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal forecast durable-goods orders rose 0.8% in March from a month earlier.

Friday: The Commerce Department releases first-quarter gross domestic product data. This broad measure of goods and services produced across the economy rose at a 2.2% annual rate in the fourth quarter, down from an earlier estimate of 2.6%. Economists are expecting a slightly stronger annual growth rate of 2.4% for the first quarter.

The University of Michigan releases final consumer-sentiment data for April. Preliminary April sentiment data showed consumers' outlook on the U.S. economy deteriorated. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal forecast the University of Michigan's consumer-sentiment index logged a final reading of 97.0 in April.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 21, 2019 15:14 ET (19:14 GMT)