Unsettling house data hits Dow

Housing starts slumped 13% to an annual rate of 458,000, lower than forecast, according to Commerce Department figures. Home Depot weighs heaviest on the index, shedding 5.61% to $24.56 in spite of news its first quarter earnings rose 44% and it confirmed forecasts for the year. American Express has lost 1.62% to $25.71. It will slash 4,000 jobs, equating to around 6% of its global workforce in a cost-cutting exercise. However, financial stocks have fared better, with Citigroup adding 3. 84% to $3.78 while Bank of America Corp is up 2.81% to $12.06. The FTSE 100 remains in the bla...