Investing.com – The number of building permits issued in the U.S. rose more-than-expected in December, official data showed on Wednesday.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau said the number of building permits issued in December was a seasonally adjusted 0.64 million, up from 0.54 million in November, whose figure was revised up from 0.53 million.
Analysts had expected building permits to rise to 0.56 million in December.
The report also said that U.S. housing starts fell unexpectedly in December, dropping to the lowest level since October 2009.
U.S. housing starts declined to a seasonally adjusted 0.53 million in December, down from 0.55 million in November, whose figure was revised down from 0.56 million.
Analysts had expected housing starts to remain unchanged at 0.55 million in December.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD jumping 1.06% to hit a two-month high of 1.3532.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a loss of 0.08%, S&P 500 futures indicated a drop of 0.20%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures were down 0.02%.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau said the number of building permits issued in December was a seasonally adjusted 0.64 million, up from 0.54 million in November, whose figure was revised up from 0.53 million.
Analysts had expected building permits to rise to 0.56 million in December.
The report also said that U.S. housing starts fell unexpectedly in December, dropping to the lowest level since October 2009.
U.S. housing starts declined to a seasonally adjusted 0.53 million in December, down from 0.55 million in November, whose figure was revised down from 0.56 million.
Analysts had expected housing starts to remain unchanged at 0.55 million in December.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD jumping 1.06% to hit a two-month high of 1.3532.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a loss of 0.08%, S&P 500 futures indicated a drop of 0.20%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures were down 0.02%.