(Reuters) – Permits to build new U.S. homes surged in March to a 17-month peak and construction activity was the most vigorous in more than a year, providing fresh evidence that economic prospects are brightening.  But a surprising slump in U.S. consumer confidence this month indicated that average Americans remain frustrated at the slow pace [...]

U.S. construction spending fell for a third straight month to its lowest level since June 2003 in January, pulled down by a slump in private nonresidential spending and weak public construction, a government report showed on Monday.  The Commerce Department said construction spending dropped 0.6 percent to $884.13 billion, after falling by an unrevised 1.2 [...]