Building Permits Highest Since 2008

Washington, DC, Nov. 26, 2013 -- Residential building permits rose to their highest level since June 2008 in October, according to the Commerce Department.

The government said building permits jumped 6.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.03 million units.

The Department postponed the release of housing starts and completions for September and October until Dec. 18 because of the government shutdown last month. ts.

Economists had expected building permits at a 930,000-unit rate in October.