Redfin reported that the total number of US homes for sale dropped 6% year-over-year during the four weeks ending on June 11th. This marks the largest decline in 13 months.
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US Building Materials Costs Continued to Decline in May
The prices of goods used in residential construction ex-energy and not seasonally adjusted declined 0.1% in May, following a 0.2% decline in April. Year-to-date, the index has gained 0.3%.
University of Michigan Reports Preliminary Results of Its Consumer Sentiment Index for June
The Index of Consumer Sentiment rose to a reading of 63.9 in June, up from 59.2 in May. This is a month-over-month increase of 7.9% and up 27.8% year-over-year (50.0 in June 2022).
Canadian Housing Starts Declined Month-Over-Month in May
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported that the standalone monthly seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of total housing starts for all areas in Canada declined 23% in May to 202,494 units, compared to April’s 261,357 units.
Canadian Investment in Building Construction Increased in April
Statistics Canada reported that investment in building construction increased by 0.4% to $20.3 billion (CAD) in April. Investment in single-family homes decreased 2.1% to $7.7 billion, marking its lowest level since November 2021.
30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Falls, but 15-Year Rate Rises in the Week Ending June 15th
Freddie Mac has released its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® for the week ending June 15th. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69%, down from last week when it averaged 6.71%.
Canadian Home Sales Rose 5.1% in May, Building on April’s Double-Digit Increase
The Canadian Real Estate Association reported that home sales posted over the Canadian MLS® Systems were up 5.1% nationally between April and May, building on the double-digit jump in April and smaller gains recorded in February and March.
US Weekly Jobless Claims Unchanged in the Week Ending June 10th
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 262,000 during the week ending on Saturday, June 10th. This is unchanged from the previous week’s revised level of 262,000. The 4-week moving average was 246,750—an increase of 9,250 from the previous week.
Producer Price Index for Final Demand Declined in May; Up 1.1% Year-Over-Year
The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand, seasonally adjusted, declined 0.3% in May, after increasing 0.2% April and after declining 0.4% March. On an unadjusted basis, the index for final demand advanced 1.1% year-over-year.
Mortgage Applications Increase in the Week Ending June 9th
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Application Survey for the week ending June 9th, the Market Composite Index—a measure of mortgage loan application volume—rose 7.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.