Existing home sales jump past forecasts in October
Updated : 15:58
Sales of second-hand homes in the States jumped past forecasts in October.
According to the National Association of Realtors, the annualised pace of existing home sales jumped at a month-on-month pace of 4.3% to reach 6.85m (consensus: 6.44m).
Last month's reading was 26.6% ahead on the year earlier period.
Prices also increased sharply, rising by 16% to $313,000.
The inventory of homes available for sale meanwhile fell to a record low of 1.42m or 2.5 months' worth at the current pace of sales.
Over 70% of homes sold in October had been on the market for less than a month, NAR said.