U.S. new home sales hit six-month high

Sales of new U.S. homes rose by 14 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 800,000 units in September, the U.S. Commerce Department reports. That was the highest level since March. August’s pace was revised downward to 702,000 units, from the preliminary estimate of 740,000 units. September’s sales were up in the southern, western, and northeastern regions but declined in the Midwest. In a Reuters poll, economists forecast a rate of 760,000 units.