October Consumer Confidence Stumbles

The Conference Board, New York, reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell in October after back-to-back monthly gains. The Index fell to 102.5, down from 107.8 in September.

Existing Home Sales Fall 8th Straight Month

Existing home sales fell again in September, marking eight consecutive months of monthly declines, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

September Housing Starts Down 8%

September housing starts took back the temporary momentum it gained in August, falling by more than 8 percent, HUD and the Census Bureau reported Wednesday.

Economic Report Roundup: Inflation Pushes Up; Initial Claims Rise

The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday reported its Consumer Price Index rose by 0.4 percent in September to an annual rate of 8.2 percent. Separately, the Labor Department reported initial claims for unemployment insurance rose for the second straight week.

September Producer Price Index Up 0.4%

The Producer Price Index, a key measure of wholesale inflation, rose by 0.4 percent in September after falling in August and July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Wednesday.

Employment Show Signs of Slowing

Non-farm employment slowed to 263,000 jobs in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, while the unemployment rate fell back to pre-pandemic levels.

Housing Market Roundup Oct. 6, 2022

Here’s a summary of recent housing/economic reports that have come across the MBA NewsLink desk:

Existing Home Sales Down 7th Straight Month

Existing home sales fell in August for the seventh straight month, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday, despite more borrowers locking in rates before they went up.

August Housing Starts Rise; Drop in Permits Casts Shadow

The good news: August housing starts beat expectations, rising by more than 12 percent from July. The bad news: housing permits fell just as dramatically, lending uncertainty to an already volatile 2022 housing market.