Pending sales of previously owned US homes picked up in July after several disappointing months, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The figures, released on Wednesday, showed its Pending Home Sales Index increased 1.3 percent to 111.3. This is the second highest reading in a decade, a big improvement on Junes’s figure. Economists had forecast a 0.6 percent rise.
Private sector adds 177,000 new jobs
US private employers added more jobs than expected in August, improving further on July’s figure which had been revised upward.
177,000 jobs were added in the US private sector this month, above analysts’ expectations of around 175,000.
Private payroll gains in July were revised up from 179,000 to 194,000 showing increasing strength in the US job market. The US non-farm payroll figure is set to be released on Friday, which provides a more in-depth look at US employment.