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July US Housing Starts Fall, Permits Jump, Completions Down

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July housing starts fell by 12.4% from the previous month to a 1.239 million annual rate, compared with expectations compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:45 am ET for a 1.345 million rate after an increase to a 1.415 million pace in June.

Building permits jumped by 5% to a 1.443 million rate in July, above the 1.375 million rate expected and following a decrease to a 1.374 million rate in June. Homes permitted but not started also increased, so the outlook is optimistic for a starts gain next month.

Home completions declined by 9.1% to a 1.212 million rate after a 0.4% gain in the previous month. Completions were down 16.8% year-over-year.

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