WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Construction of new homes in the United States fell sharply last month, showing potential weakness in the economy’s recovery, while consumer prices rose slightly more than expected.
The Commerce Department said on Wednesday housing starts dropped 10.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 529,000 units, the lowest level since April and the percentage drop was the biggest since January.
Financial markets had expected starts to rise to 600,000 units. September’s housing starts were revised upwards to a 592,000 unit rate from the previously reported 590,000 units.