Overview: Building permits fell 2.1% in June while housing starts were down 5.0% and existing home sales fell 5.1%.  Initial jobless claims rose by 37,000 to a level of 464,000 for the week ended 7/17.

Building permits fell 2.1% to a level of 586,000 units in June.  A 2.9% increase in imports, led by a 12.1% increase in imports from China, surpassed a 2.4% increase in exports.  The rise in exports was the largest since September of 2008.

Housing starts fell 5.0% to a level of 549,000 units in June.  The 2.9% increase in imports, led by a 12.1% rise in imports from China, surpassed the 2.4% increase in exports.  The rise in exports was the largest since September of 2008.

Existing home sales fell 5.1% to 5.37 million units in June.

Initial jobless claims rose by 37,000 to 464,000 for the week ended July 17^th.