Housing starts up to 699,000 in January
OtherHousing starts rose 1.5% in January, according to Commerce Department data, to the highest level since October 2008. On a seasonally adjusted basis, starts increased to 699,000 from 689,000 for December, which was revised upward by 32,000. January housing starts rose 9.9% from 636,000 a year earlier. Analysts polled by Econoday expected housing starts to come in at 675,000 with a range of estimates between 640,000 and 736,000. “January’s housing starts data support our view that homebuilders are shaking off the shackles of the last five years and are beginning […]