Sales of new U.S. single-family homes fell sharply in June and the prior month’s data was revised to show less robust growth, suggesting the housing market would struggle to regain momentum.
The Commerce Department said on Thursday that sales dropped 8.1 percent, the largest decline since July 2013, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 406,000 units.
May’s sales pace was revised to 442,000 units from the previously reported 504,000 units.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast new home sales at a 479,000-unit pace last month. Compared to June of last year, sales were down 11.5 percent.