Housing market bellwether

The market for new U.S. homes has slowed in recent months following a steady climb in mortgage interest rates.

Sales of new homes fell in September for the fourth straight month. The annual rate of home sales has declined 15.3 percent since May, eliminating much of the strength in sales from earlier in the year. Investors will be listening for fresh insight on the new-home market’s direction today, when homebuilder D.R. Horton reports quarterly results.