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US grows faster in third quarter US home sales hit three-year high as GDP revised up
(35 minutes later)
The US economy grew at an annualised rate of 3.1% in the third quarter of this year - faster than previously thought. Sales of previously owned US homes rose in November to their highest level in three years, figures have shown.
In November the Commerce Department estimated that growth hit 2.7% in the three months to September, but this has now been revised up. href="http://www.realtor.org/news-releases/2012/10/november-existing-home-sales-and-prices-maintain-uptrend" >The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said sales rose 5.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million last month.
Meanwhile the economy grew faster than previously thought in the third quarter, at an annualised rate of 3.1%.
The Commerce Department had previously estimated that growth hit 2.7% in the three months to September.
However economists still predict much slower growth in the final three months of the year.However economists still predict much slower growth in the final three months of the year.
Meanwhile existing home sales rose to their highest level for three years. Rising prices
The National Association of Realtors said sales rose 5.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million in November. The NAR said that there was "healthy demand" in the housing market.
Jobs growth needed "Momentum continues to build in the housing market from growing jobs and a bursting out of household formation," said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun.
The US unemployment rate fell to a four-year low of 7.7% in November, and has been steadily falling from its recent peak of 10.1% in October 2009.
"With lower rental vacancy rates and rising rents, combined with still historically favourable affordability conditions, more people are buying homes," Mr Yun added.
However the rate of 5.04 million is still well below the peak of mid-2005, when it topped 7 million.
Home prices rose year-on-year for the ninth consecutive month.
The national median existing home price for all housing types was $180,600 (£111,000) in November, up 10.1% on November 2011.
'Cliff' uncertainty
Stronger exports and higher government and consumer spending helped boost growth in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said.Stronger exports and higher government and consumer spending helped boost growth in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said.
Spending by state and local governments rose 0.3% over the period, while consumer spending grew at an annualised rate of 1.6%.Spending by state and local governments rose 0.3% over the period, while consumer spending grew at an annualised rate of 1.6%.
The US states its growth in annualised terms, meaning that its quarterly growth rate is extrapolated as if it was growing at that pace for the whole year.The US states its growth in annualised terms, meaning that its quarterly growth rate is extrapolated as if it was growing at that pace for the whole year.
Economic growth in the final quarter of 2012 is expected to have been harmed by uncertainty over "fiscal cliff" talks.Economic growth in the final quarter of 2012 is expected to have been harmed by uncertainty over "fiscal cliff" talks.
Disruption caused by Superstorm Sandy is also likely to have hit productivity, and economists are broadly predicting a growth rate of closer to 1.5% for the final quarter.Disruption caused by Superstorm Sandy is also likely to have hit productivity, and economists are broadly predicting a growth rate of closer to 1.5% for the final quarter.
Separate data from the Labor Department showed that the number of people filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 361,000.
Todd Schoenberger, from Landcolt Capital in New York, said the 3.1% economic growth needed to translate into jobs growth.
"We need to see this kind of growth, but jobs are also needed, and on that score the higher claims data wasn't terribly surprising," he said.
Looking ahead, many economists, including Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, have said that growth could accelerate next year if Congress and the White House can reach agreement to solve the fiscal cliff and avoid the steep tax rises and sharp spending cuts that would take effect in January.Looking ahead, many economists, including Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, have said that growth could accelerate next year if Congress and the White House can reach agreement to solve the fiscal cliff and avoid the steep tax rises and sharp spending cuts that would take effect in January.