U.S. housing starts edge up in October

WASHINGTON — U.S. housing starts rose by 1.5% overall in October, despite a 1.8% downturn in construction of single-family homes. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of starts for the month was 1.23 million, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, up from 1.21 million in September. Ground breakings on apartment buildings compensated for the slowing in single-family starts. Building permits saw a slight decline, falling 0.6% to a rate of 1.26 million.