October Housing Starts Highest in 8 Months

Builders boosted construction of new homes and apartments in October to the highest level in eight months, figures that are expected to feed continued growth in an already robust economy. Housing starts rose 1.4% to 1.53 million at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, the most since a 1.55-million rate in February, the Commerce Department reported. Separately, the Labor Department reported prices for imported products such as Japanese-made cars and industrial supplies barely edged up 0.1% in October, underlining the tame inflation that accompanies steady economic expansion.