Investing.com - The number of housing starts in the U.S. fell more-than-expected in January, while building permits increased to the highest level since June 2008, official data showed Wednesday.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau that U.S. housing starts fell by 8.5% in January to a seasonally adjusted 0.890 million, compared to expectations for a decline of 3.6% to 0.925 million.
Housing starts for December were revised up to 0.973 million units from a previously reported 0.954 million units.
The report also showed that the number of building permits issued in January rose 1.8% to a seasonally adjusted 0.925 million, above expectations for a 1.2% increase to 0.915 million units.
Building permits issued in December totaled 0.909 million units.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained higher against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.1% to trade at 1.3377.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures were little changed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to flat open, S&P 500 futures were little changed, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a flat open.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau that U.S. housing starts fell by 8.5% in January to a seasonally adjusted 0.890 million, compared to expectations for a decline of 3.6% to 0.925 million.
Housing starts for December were revised up to 0.973 million units from a previously reported 0.954 million units.
The report also showed that the number of building permits issued in January rose 1.8% to a seasonally adjusted 0.925 million, above expectations for a 1.2% increase to 0.915 million units.
Building permits issued in December totaled 0.909 million units.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained higher against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.1% to trade at 1.3377.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures were little changed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to flat open, S&P 500 futures were little changed, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a flat open.