Investing.com - U.S. existing home sales rose more than expected in September, reapproaching the highest level since 2007, industry data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the National Association of Realtors said that existing home sales increased 4.7% to a seasonally adjusted 5.55 million units last month from 5.30 million in August. Analysts had expected existing home sales to rise 1.4% to 5.38 million units in September.
Existing-home sales rebounded strongly in September following August’s decline and have now increased year-over-year for 12 consecutive months. All four major regions experienced sales gains in September.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says a slight moderation in home prices in some markets and mortgage rates remaining below 4% gave more households the confidence to close on a home last month.
"September home sales bounced back solidly after slowing in August and are now at their second highest pace since February 2007 (5.79 million)," he said.
EUR/USD was trading at 1.1162 from around 1.1164 ahead of the release of the data, GBP/USD was at 1.5411 from 1.5402 earlier, while USD/JPY was at 120.38 from 120.43 earlier.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was at 96.08, compared to 96.10 ahead of the report.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets were higher after the open. The Dow 30 rose 160 points, or 0.9%, the S&P 500 tacked on 20 points, or 1%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 54 points, or 1.13%.
Elsewhere, in the commodities market, gold futures traded at $1,167.10 a troy ounce, compared to $1,167.40 ahead of the data, while crude oil traded at $45.95 a barrel from $45.97 earlier.