Finance News
Housing starts in the US saw a significant increase, the largest since May, following a sharp decline.
Housing Starts in the US Rebound Sharply Following Steep Decline, Marking Largest Increase Since May,
The latest data on new US home construction shows a significant rebound in February, following a period of weakness due to adverse weather conditions at the beginning of the year. This uptick in construction activity can be attributed to slightly improved mortgage rates and a shortage of existing homes for sale in the market.
According to government data released on Tuesday, residential starts surged by 10.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.52 million, marking the largest increase since May. Economists had expected a pace of 1.44 million, making this report even more impressive. Additionally, building permits, which serve as a gauge for future construction, also rose to a rate of 1.52 million, the highest since August. Both permits and starts figures for January were revised upwards.
Notably, single-family home construction reached a two-year high, while multifamily home starts rebounded by 8.3% following a sharp decline in the previous month. This positive trend in construction activity suggests that the housing market is gradually recovering, as builders capitalize on limited resale inventory.
Looking ahead, experts anticipate a potential retreat in home financing costs later in the year, especially if the Federal Reserve decides to reduce interest rates. This could further stimulate demand from potential homebuyers, providing a significant boost to the industry.
In conclusion, the recent surge in home construction activity indicates a positive trajectory for the housing market. With improving builder sentiment and growing demand, the sector is poised for continued growth in the coming months.
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FAQ:
Q: Which regions saw the most significant increase in housing starts?
A: The Midwest experienced a sharp rebound in housing starts following a winter weather-related plunge, while construction in the South reached its fastest annual pace in nearly two years.
Q: What incentives are homebuilders offering to attract buyers?
A: Homebuilders may offer incentives such as variable-rate mortgages at below-market rates to entice buyers and stimulate demand in the housing market.
Bespoke Investment Group co-founder Paul Hickey breaks down the current volatility in the market and discusses his current favorite investment opportunities on ‘Making Money.’
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon still isn’t a fan of Bitcoin but he’s not letting his personal feelings get in the way of business at the bank.
“When I look at the Bitcoin universe, the leverage in the system, the misuse,” he said at the company’s annual investor day Monday in New York. Noting that bad actors can use it for sex trafficking and terrorism.
“I am not a fan of it. We are going to allow you to buy it. And we’re not going to custody it. We’re going to do is put it on statements for clients. So, you know, I don’t think we should smoke, but I defend your right to smoke. I defend your right to buy Bitcoin, go at it”, he added.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon Speaks at Investor Day 5/19
At JPMorgan’s Investor Day, Dimon said the bank will now allow clients to buy Bitcoin but that policy hasn’t changed his view on the cryptocurrency. (JP Morgan)
Bitcoin, the largest crypto by market value, is just shy of its all-time high of $106,734.51 reached last year.
DIMON SOUNDS OFF ON HIGH MORTGAGE RATES, LAYS BLAME
Dimon has long been a critic of Bitcoin, including these remarks from 2021:
“I personally think that Bitcoin is worthless,” Dimon said while speaking at a virtual event hosted by the Institute of International Finance. “But I don’t want to be a spokesman for that, I don’t care. It makes no difference to me.” Dimon has also likened the crypto to “fools gold.”
Shares of JPMorgan Chase are up over 10% outperforming the S&P 500 which is flat for the year.
In January 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission greenlighted the first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, prompting a slew of firms to launch their own, making the asset class more accessible for both institutional and retail investors.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBIT | ISHARES BITCOIN TRUST – USD ACC | 60.66 | +0.68 | +1.13% |
| FBTC | FIDELITY WISE ORIGIN BITCOIN FUND – USD ACC | 93.14 | +0.98 | +1.06% |
| GBTC | GRAYSCALE BITCOIN TRUST ETF – USD ACC | 84.12 | +0.88 | +1.06% |
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iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin ETF and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF are currently the largest funds by assets under management, as tracked by ETF.com.
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Hooters CEO Sal Melilli joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss plans to return the brand to its roots as a ‘neighborhood restaurant.’
Italian restaurant chain Bertucci’s is closing more locations after filing for bankruptcy again to mitigate losses.
The Massachusetts-based business, which has locations along the East Coast and is best known for its brick oven pizza and pasta, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Florida last week. It marked the chain’s third bankruptcy since 2018.
Bertucci’s also closed seven of its underperforming locations – five in Massachusetts, one in Rhode Island and one in Maryland. It now operates 15 restaurant locations in six states, according to court documents.
RESTAURANT CHAIN BERTUCCI’S FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION
Italian restaurant chain Bertucci’s has filed for bankruptcy for the third time since 2018. It has also closed seven restaurants to mitigate losses, according to an April 24 bankruptcy filing. (WFXT)
The company cited the “deterioration” of the U.S. economy and “lack of consumer demand for legacy casual-dining brands” as reasons why the restaurant chain has been operating at a loss, according to the filing.
FAST-FOOD CHAIN CLOSING UP TO 200 ‘UNDERPERFORMING’ LOCATIONS
“With losses accumulating, inflationary pressures still high, and industry headwinds gusting, the proverbial final straw fell on [Bertucci’s] this year as the world saw food costs soar, consumer spending slow, and an uncertain global economy falling in (and out) of decline,” as stated in the bankruptcy documents.
Bertucci’s has assets and liabilities between $10 million and $50 million, according to the filing.
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The restaurant chain hopes bankruptcy will provide the business with a “breathing spell” so it can “determine the best path forward and formulate an overall reorganizational plan,” it said in the filing.
In April 2018, Bertucci’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closed 15 restaurants. In December 2022, amid challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic like the closure of restaurants and inflation, it declared bankruptcy for a second time and streamlined operations down to 23 locations, according to the filing.
Bertucci’s previously filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and 2022. (WFXT)
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Bertucci’s did not respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
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