The Commerce Department reports housing starts ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.297 million in November. That’s better than the 1.25 million expected by economists and 3.3% higher than October’s revised pace, and 12.9% higher than a year ago. Permits, which lead activity, were up up 1.4% to a 1.29 million rate.
The Trump administration has formally blamed North Korea for the large cyberattack known as WannaCry, according to an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal by Thomas Bossert, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism. The U.K.’s intelligence service attributed the virus to the Pyongyang regime six months ago. It encryped data then demanded bitcoin ransom payments from computer owners.
Retail bankruptcies hit a six-year high in 2017, totaling 50 i as of Dec. 14, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. That’s higher than 47 for all of 2016 and the highest since 59 total in 2011. Among the companies that filed for bankruptcy protection in 2017 were Toys R Us, True Religion Apparel, and Payless Shoes.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for 1360 KUIK.
