News in end use

US-based employers announced 36,836 job cuts in October, down 22.0% from September, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 217,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week.

Total construction spending during September was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $1,996.5 billion, 0.4% above the revised August estimate.

In Q3, residential building construction costs increased 1.0%. Non-residential building construction costs were 0.9%.

The number of open construction jobs increased from a revised reading of 375,000 in August to 431,000 in September, according to analysis by the NAHB.

Mortgage loan application volume decreased 2.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Nonfarm private sector employment increased by 113,000 jobs in October, and annual pay was up 5.7% year-over-year, according to ADP data.

As of the last business day in September, the number of job openings was little changed at 9.6 million, and the rate was unchanged at 5.7%.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index increased 0.6% month-over-month in August, seasonally adjusted. Year-over-year, home prices rose 5.6%.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® declined in October to a reading of 102.6 (1985=100), from an upwardly revised September reading of 104.3.