U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Unexpectedly Slumps In May

RTTNews | 105 일 전
U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Unexpectedly Slumps In May

(RTTNews) - Reflecting growing uncertainties stemming from elevated interest rates, tariff concerns, building material cost uncertainty and the cloudy economic outlook, the National Association of Home Builders released a report on Thursday showing an unexpected slump by U.S. homebuilder confidence in the month of May.

The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index tumbled to 34 in May after inching up to 40 in April. Economists had expected the index to come in unchanged from the previous month.

With the unexpected decrease, the housing market index ties the November 2023 reading as the lowest since hitting 31 in December 2022.

"The spring home buying season has gotten off to a slow start as persistent elevated interest rates, policy uncertainty and building material cost factors hurt builder sentiment in May," said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes.

"However, the overwhelming majority of survey responses came before the tariff reduction announcement with China," he added. "Builders expect future trade negotiations and progress on tax policy will help stabilize the economic outlook and strengthen housing demand."

The slump by the heading index reflected decreases by all three of the component indices, with the index gauging current sales conditions plunging to 37 in May from 45 in April.

The gauge charting traffic of prospective buyers also slipped to 23 in May from 25 in April, while the component measuring sales expectations in the next six months edged down to 42 in May from 43 in April.

The NAHB said the latest HMI survey also revealed 34 percent of builders cut home prices in May, up from 29 percent in April and the highest level since December 2023. The average price reduction was 5 percent in May, unchanged from the previous month.

On Friday, the Commerce Department is scheduled to release its report on new residential construction in the month of April.

Housing starts are expected to climb to an annual rate of 1.370 million in April from a rate of 1.324 million in March.

Meanwhile, building permits are expected to decrease to an annual rate of 1.450 million in April from a rate of 1.482 million in March.

read more
U.S. Pending Home Sales Fall More Than Expected In July

U.S. Pending Home Sales Fall More Than Expected In July

A report released by the National Association of Realtors on Thursday showed pending home sales in the U.S. fell by more than expected in the month of July. NAR said its pending home sales index decreased by 0.4 percent to 71.7 in July after sliding by 0.8 percent to 72.0 in June. Economists had expected pending home sales to edge down by 0.1 percent.
RTTNews | 6 시간 11 분 전
U.S. Economy Surges More Than Previously Estimated In Q2

U.S. Economy Surges More Than Previously Estimated In Q2

The U.S. economy grew by more than previously estimated in the second quarter of 2025, according to revised data released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The report said real gross domestic product shot up by 3.3 percent in the second quarter compared to the previously reported 3.0 percent surge. Economists had expected the jump in GDP to be upwardly revised to 3.1 percent.
RTTNews | 6 시간 45 분 전
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Dip Roughly In Line With Estimates

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Dip Roughly In Line With Estimates

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest decrease by first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended August 23rd. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims dipped to 229,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level of 234,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to slip to 230,000.
RTTNews | 6 시간 51 분 전
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Edge Down To 229,000

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Edge Down To 229,000

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest decrease by first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended August 23rd.
RTTNews | 8 시간 9 분 전
U.S. Consumer Confidence Index Edges Lower In August

U.S. Consumer Confidence Index Edges Lower In August

A report released by the Conference Board on Tuesday showing a modest deterioration by consumer confidence in the U.S. in the month of August. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index dipped to 97.4 in August from an upwardly revised 98.7 in July.
RTTNews | 2 일 전
U.S. Durable Goods Orders Slump 2.8% In July, Much Less Than Expected

U.S. Durable Goods Orders Slump 2.8% In July, Much Less Than Expected

Reflecting a continued plunge by orders for transportation equipment, the Commerce Department released a report on Tuesday showing a steep drop by new orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods in the month of July. The Commerce Department said durable goods orders slumped by 2.8 percent in July after plummeting by a revised 9.4 percent in June.
RTTNews | 2 일 전
U.S. Durable Goods Orders Tumble Less Than Expected In July

U.S. Durable Goods Orders Tumble Less Than Expected In July

Reflecting a continued plunge by orders for transportation equipment, the Commerce Department released a report on Tuesday showing a steep drop by new orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods in the month of July.
RTTNews | 2 일 전