Office Space Demand Falls Again

VTS, New York, reported new demand for office space fell for the second consecutive month in October to a level last seen in the first quarter.

Fitch: Mortgage Insurers See Consistent Losses, Market Stability in 2022

Fitch Ratings, Chicago, said the operating environment for U.S. mortgage insurers is expected to remain steady in 2022, as economic indicators have generally improved since the low point of the pandemic, with lower than expected losses from the pandemic fallout and continued home price appreciation supportive of credit fundamentals of the rated peer group of private MIs.

Inventories Persist at Record Lows

Homes for sale fell to another record low during the week ending November 28, said Redfin, Seattle. Sustained demand pushed the median home price to another record high, and one-third of homes sold in one week or less.

Initial Claims Rise Over Holiday

Initial claims for unemployment insurance climbed back up last week after falling to pre-pandemic levels the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.