Homebuilder outlook improved in July and is back at pre-pandemic levels as the housing market continued to lure buyers looking for more space and attracted by record-low interest rates.
A gauge of
Separate reports on Thursday showed that jobless claims fell in early July and that retail sales advanced more than forecast in June.
The improvement in homebuilder optimism signals continued housing market growth after record-lows in April.
But the growing numbers of virus cases in the Sunbelt and Western states could impair business confidence and result in a slump in the coming weeks.
The biggest increase in regional scores was in the Northeast, followed by the Midwest, the West and the South.