HOUSING_STARTS
Housing Starts & Building Permits
Census/HUD data on new residential construction — permits are one of the economy’s most reliable leading indicators.
| Published by | US Census Bureau / HUD |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly, around mid-month |
| Release time | 8:30 AM ET |
What it measures
Housing starts count new residential units breaking ground; building permits count authorizations — a forward commitment that leads starts by one to two months.
Why traders watch it
- Housing is the most rate-sensitive sector: this is where Fed policy bites first and visibly.
- Permits belong to the classic leading-indicator toolkit for the whole cycle.
How to read it
- Permits over starts — fewer weather distortions, more forward information.
- Single-family versus multi-family split: single-family tracks household demand; multi-family is lumpy.
FAQ
Starts fell but permits rose — which wins?
Permits. Starts are noisy with weather and timing; permits are the pipeline. Divergences usually resolve in the permits direction.
Why do rates hit housing so fast?
Mortgage rates reprice affordability instantly, and builders throttle projects on financing costs. Housing is the Fed’s most direct transmission channel.
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The official source of each release is authoritative. Not investment advice.