Investing.com - The number of housing starts in the U.S. rose significantly more-than-expected in December, hitting the highest level since June 2008, official data showed Thursday.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau that U.S. housing starts jumped by 12.1% in December to a seasonally adjusted 0.954 million, compared to expectations for a 3.3% increase to 0.890 million.
Housing starts for November were revised down to 0.851 million units from a previously reported 0.861 million units.
The report also showed that the number of building permits issued in December inched up 0.3% to a seasonally adjusted 0.903 million, in line with expectations.
Building permits issued in November totaled 0.900 million units.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained lower against the euro, with EUR/USD adding 0.6% to trade at 1.3369.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures were higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a rise of 0.3% at the open, S&P 500 futures indicated a gain of 0.45%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a 0.5% increase.
In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau that U.S. housing starts jumped by 12.1% in December to a seasonally adjusted 0.954 million, compared to expectations for a 3.3% increase to 0.890 million.
Housing starts for November were revised down to 0.851 million units from a previously reported 0.861 million units.
The report also showed that the number of building permits issued in December inched up 0.3% to a seasonally adjusted 0.903 million, in line with expectations.
Building permits issued in November totaled 0.900 million units.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar remained lower against the euro, with EUR/USD adding 0.6% to trade at 1.3369.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures were higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a rise of 0.3% at the open, S&P 500 futures indicated a gain of 0.45%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures signaled a 0.5% increase.