1) New home construction has dropped from a twelve year high in September, although single home construction rose for a fourth straight month. This indicates the housing market remains supported by lower mortgage rates even as economy slows. Housing starts declined 9.4% last month as construction in the volatile multi-family housing segment dropped.
2) The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom announced a great new Brexit deal. The proposed exit plan goes before the U.K. parliament this Saturday, the EU (European Union) claimed the deal was a fair and balance one. Parliament must vote approval before the deal can be accepted, however, this time the Conservative party is now committed to this deal and not a ‘no-deal’ and so will campaign for a majority support.
3) The employees for the bank Goldman Sachs will receive the lowest pay in the last ten years. This is a result of software systems doing more and more of the company’s business, another example of technology displacement. The bank set aside 35% of its revenues for staff compensation and benefits this year, the lowest rate since 2009, with an average employee earning of $246,000 less than half of the $527,000 from last year.
4) Stock market closings for – 17 OCT 19:
Dow          27,025.88   up   23.90
Nasdaq       8,156.85   up   32.67
S&P 500       2,997.95   up     8.26
10 Year Yield:   up  at   1.76%
Oil:   up  at   $54.05