Investing.com – Pending home sales in the U.S. jumped more-than-expected in December, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the National Association of Realtors said its pending home sales index rose by 2.0% in December, after increasing by 3.1% in November, whose figure was revised down from 3.5%.
Analysts had expected the pending home sales index to rise by 0.8% in December.
Year-on-year, the National Association of Realtors pending home sales index fell by 3.6% in December, after falling by 2.8% in November.
Commenting on the report NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said, “Modest gains in the labor market and the improving economy are creating a more favorable backdrop for buyers, allowing them to take advantage of excellent housing affordability conditions.”
He added, “Mortgage rates should rise only modestly in the months ahead, so we’ll continue to see a favorable environment for buyers with good credit.”
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD gaining 0.07% to hit 1.3723.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets were higher: the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.05%, the S&P 500 index rose 0.12% and the Nasdaq Composite index climbed 0.41%.
In a report, the National Association of Realtors said its pending home sales index rose by 2.0% in December, after increasing by 3.1% in November, whose figure was revised down from 3.5%.
Analysts had expected the pending home sales index to rise by 0.8% in December.
Year-on-year, the National Association of Realtors pending home sales index fell by 3.6% in December, after falling by 2.8% in November.
Commenting on the report NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said, “Modest gains in the labor market and the improving economy are creating a more favorable backdrop for buyers, allowing them to take advantage of excellent housing affordability conditions.”
He added, “Mortgage rates should rise only modestly in the months ahead, so we’ll continue to see a favorable environment for buyers with good credit.”
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD gaining 0.07% to hit 1.3723.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets were higher: the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.05%, the S&P 500 index rose 0.12% and the Nasdaq Composite index climbed 0.41%.