- Construction spending decreased 0.3% in November, following a 1.2% increase in the previous month, according to the Census Bureau. Private construction increased 0.3% in November, while public construction decreased 1.7%. Total construction spending was up 2.4% from November 2013.
- The Pending Home Sales Index, a leading indicator for the housing sector, increased 0.8% in November, according to the National Association of Realtors. The index was up 4.1% from a year ago.
- The S & P/Case-Shiller National U.S. Home Price Indices posted annual increases of 4.4% and 4.5% in the 12 months ending in October, for 10-city and 20-city composites, respectively.
- The results of Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey of December 31st showed average fixed mortgage rates move slightly higher. 30-year fixed-rate averaged 3.87% for the week ending December 31, up from last week when it averaged 3.83%.
- The advance figure for initial claims for unemployment insurance increased 17 thousand to 298 thousand in the week ending December 27, according to U.S. Department of Labor.
- The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index, which had decreased in November, increased 1.6 points in December.
- The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing survey indicated that the manufacturing sector expanded in December for the 19th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 67th consecutive month.
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