|

US: Builder confidence continues to climb – Wells Fargo

The NAHB Housing Market Index rose to 85 in October, surpassing expectations. Homebuilder confidence reached a record high, noted analysts at Wells Fargo. They point out low mortgage rates and an increased desire for more space continues to drive buyer traffic and sales.

Key quotes: 

“The topline index beat consensus estimates and climbed two points to 85 during October, the highest on record. The rapid recovery in confidence is primarily owed to historically low mortgage rates and the ongoing shift in housing preferences for more livable space to adjust to new COVID norms.”

“Prospective buyer traffic was unchanged for the month. The sub-index is up 20 points over the past year, more than any other. Prospective buyers have more time to shop this year, given that travel is down and football game attendance is being severely limited, freeing up additional time on the weekends.”

Author

Matías Salord

Matías started in financial markets in 2008, after graduating in Economics. He was trained in chart analysis and then became an educator. He also studied Journalism. He started writing analyses for specialized websites before joining FXStreet.

More from Matías Salord
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD consolidates near 0.7000 as USD stays weak

AUD/USD holds steady above 0.7000 during Thursday’s Asian session, consolidating the previous day’s recovery gains from a near three-week low as the Democratic sweep in the US midterm elections and Iran diplomacy hopes continue to weigh on the US Dollar. Bulls, however, seem hesitant as focus shifts to Friday’s crucial US NFP report.

USD/JPY drifts lower to 158.25 on hawkish BoJ Minutes, weak USD

USD/JPY trades with a negative bias for the second straight day on Thursday as hawkish BoJ Minutes, showing members agreed to keep raising rates, and intervention risks support the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, US midterm election results and hopes for Iran diplomacy keep the US Dollar depressed as focus shifts to Friday’s US NFP report.

Gold consolidates gains around $4,100

Gold now surrenders part of its initial bull run, although it sticks to the $4,100 region per troy ounce on Thursday. The yellow metal extends it recovery on the back of the lacklustre performance of the US Dollar and declining US Treasury yields following the US midterms elections.

The memory trade collapses as Sandisk sheds 17%, Micron sinks to May levels
If Wednesday's stock market rally was a broad vote of confidence in the Democratic sweep of the US midterm elections, Thursday is the other side of that coin. While the AI sell-off already began on Wednesday, it has kicked into higher gear on Thursday. The NASDAQ Composite has swung to a 4% loss in the morning regular session, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones also shed Wednesday's gains.
NFP stress test: Six payrolls releases, measured in daily-loss limits

Friday's US employment report is usually previewed in terms of the headline number and the reaction in the Dollar. For a growing group of traders, those running funded or evaluation accounts with a fixed daily loss limit, there is a more practical question: how much of that limit can the first hour consume, regardless of direction?

US Dollar breaks below 101.50 as Democrats sweep Congress
The US Dollar (USD) comes under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) falling around 0.5% to trade near 101.35 after sliding below the 101.50 level. The Greenback retreats to its lowest level in four weeks as investors reassess the political and economic outlook following the Democratic Party's sweeping victory in the United States (US) midterm elections.