02:32 PM EST, 11/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The New York Federal Reserve's monthly business leaders index, a measure of services conditions, improved to minus 21.7 in November from minus 23.6 in October, though it still indicates significant contraction. Other services data will be released over the coming weeks.

The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index rose to 38 in November from 37 in October, while remaining below 46 a year earlier.

The association said uncertainty persists due to high construction costs, tariffs, and cautious homebuyers.

Factory new orders rose 1.4% in August, with transportation orders up 7.9% and other categories combining for a 0.1% increase. Durable goods orders climbed 2.9%, while nondurable goods orders fell 0.1%.

Factory shipments declined by 0.1% and inventories were flat. Combined with advance estimates for retail and wholesale inventories, overall business inventories appear on pace for a 0.1% monthly decline.

Redbook reported that US same-store retail sales last week rose 6.1% from a year earlier, up from the 5.9% gain in the prior week, boosted by Veterans Day promotions and early holiday sales.