PENDING HOME SALES UP IN JUNE, HIGHEST SINCE 2006

The number of Americans signing contracts to buy homes rose for the second straight month after a devastating spring freeze brought on by the coronavirus outbreak. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that its index of pending sales rose 16.6%, to 116.1 in June, its highest level since 2006. Contract signings are 6.3% ahead of where they were last year after being significantly behind due to the pandemic.