U.S. Producer Prices Rise More Than Expected In January

*U.S. Housing Starts Plunge 14.8% In January, Building Permits Drop 1.5%

*Canadian Wholesale Sales Rose 0.3% In December

*U.S. Producer Prices Rise 0.3% In January

*Russian Ruble Drops To More Than 2-month Low Of 93.48 Against U.S. Dollar