Industry Dashboard for Feb. 28, 2011

Gas prices were climbing slowly but steadily in 2011, but this week the national average price per gallon of regular surged 18 cents to $3.35. That's 65 cents higher than a year ago.

Elsewhere on the Industry Dashboard, the Existing-Home Sales meter shows gains for the year and the month, based on estimates from the National Association of Realtors. Single-family starts are lagging at a dismal pace of 413,000.

Tractor Supply and Stanley Black & Decker continue to pace the Home Channel Stock Roundup, which also shows three stocks slipping into negative territory for the month -- Sherwin-Williams, Lowe's and Home Depot.