US new-home deals decline for first time in three months

Homes under construction in Tucson, Arizona, U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Sales of new U.S. homes retreated in January after a flurry of purchases at the end of 2021, indicating a jump in mortgage rates may be starting to restrain demand.

SALES of new United States homes retreated in January after a flurry of purchases at the end of 2021, indicating a jump in mortgage rates may be starting to restrain demand.

Purchases of new single-family homes decreased 4.5% to a 801,000 annualised pace following a revised 839,000 in December, government data showed Thursday.