Talking Points …

  • Confidence among U.S. homebuilders rose in April for the first time in five months as prospective buyers returned to the market and sales climbed, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
  • The NAHB/Wells Fargo sentiment gauge increased to 56, the highest since January, from a revised 52 in the previous month. Readings above 50 mean more respondents said conditions were good.
  • Builder confidence increased in three of the four U.S. regions, with the biggest improvement coming from the Northeast. Sentiment also rose in the West and reached a five-month high in the South.