Home Builders Survey Remains at Record Low

The confidence of homebuilders held steady at 19 in December, for thethird month in a row, at an all-time record low. An improvement inperceptions of current sales (+1 to 19) and future sales (+2 to 26)was offset by fewer potential buyers visiting model homes (-3 to a newrecord low 14). Sentiment improved in the South and Midwest, but fellin the Northeast. The West held constant at 18.