GDP advanced at a 2.5% annual pace in the 3^rd quarter.  Personal income edged up 0.1% in September as personal spending was up 0.6%.  Durable orders fell 0.8% in September.  The Cash-Shiller home price index was virtually unchanged in August and down 3.9% from a year ago.  New home sales rose 5.7% in September as pending home sales declined 4.6%.  Initial jobless claims edged down 2,000 to a level of 402,000 for the week ended 10/22.

• GDP grew at an annual pace of 2.5% in the 3^rd quarter of 2011.  The advance estimate of 2.5% growth was above expectations, and follows very weak growth of just 0.4% and 1.3%, respectively, in the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 2011.
• Personal income edged up 0.1% in September as personal spending rose 0.6%. 
• Durable orders declined 0.8%in September.  Excluding transportation, orders increased 1.7%.
• The Case-Shiller home price index was essentially unchanged from July to August, and was down 3.9% from a year ago.
• New home sales rose 5.7% to an annual pace of 313,000 units in September.
• Pending home sales fell by a greater-than-expected 4.6% in September.
• Initial jobless claims edged down 2,000 to 402,000 for the week ended October 22^nd.