Home sales rise as jobless claims fall

WASHINGTON (AP) – Home sales rose sharply last month and claims for jobless benefits fell last week. The two reports Thursday sketched a picture of a modestly improving economy.

Sales of previously occupied homes increased more than expected in March after three straight months of declines, the National Association of Realtors said. The housing market benefited from government incentives that drew in buyers.

Purchases jumped 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million last month, the highest level since December. Home prices also rose 4 percent.