U.S. homebuilding rose in July, according to data released on Thursday.
Housing starts increased 0.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.168 million units last month, the Commerce Department said.
Economists had forecast housing starts rising to a pace of 1.270 million units last month.
Building permits rose 1.5% to a rate of 1.311 million units in July.
Economists had forecast building permits increasing to a pace of 1.310 million units last month.
