U.S. housing starts post record decline; permits slump

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. homebuilding dropped by the most on record in April and permits for future construction tumbled, underlining fears that the novel coronavirus crisis would lead to the deepest economic contraction in the second quarter since the Great Depression.The report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday added to dismal data this month showing a staggering loss of 20.5 million jobs in April and a collapse in retail sales and manufacturing production.Housing starts tumbled 30.2%..