New-home construction in the U.S. jumped more than forecast in March as multifamily projects climbed to the highest level in more than seven years. Starts climbed 7 percent to a 1.04 million annual rate, the most since June 2008, following a revised 968,000 annual rate in February that was larger than previously reported, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median estimate of 80 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for 930,000. Building permits, a proxy for future construction, fell. Builders are rushing to satisfy growing demand for rental units, propelling the jump in construction that ... (full story)